DOWN THE KASANKA
Russian folk songs with English Translations - pp10,11 #6
Down the Ka-san-ka*, down the qui-et wa-ter,
Id-ly bask'd a lone-ly swan.
Laugh and be glad, who would be sad,**
Id-ly bask'd a lone-ly swan.***
There stood a gallant, Looking on the river,
Where his image, mirror'd shone.
Clear in the water, shone his golden ringlets,
Waving locks of tangled hair.
Tell me, he bade them, speaking to his tresses,
Who will comb you smooth and fair?
By came and old wife, Finely can I comb them,
Oft that same did I before
Rough was her combing, tugging, pulling, tearing,
Till his head was smarting sore,
By came a maiden, please to let me comb them,
Softly stroked that golden hair.
Kind was her combing, deft her dainty fingers
Touched his head with tender care.
So smooth she made it, with a kiss he paid it
That she thought was right and fair.
* a tributary of the Volga
** burden line = line three each verse
*** each verse repeats the second line as fourth line