Ladies, misses, gentlemen all over the world,
Every hunter, fisherman and birder
Usually cherish nice and very famous word
Sounding magnificently “Birthday”.
Somebody was born in spring, in winter other one
And another one was born in summer…
Our dear hero met a world under the Sun
In autumnal golden panorama.
With respect to dictionaries, Tockarev was born
In November, day number eleven;
Thus at present citizens can hear toot of horn:
“Willie is three times per twenty-seven!”
“Who is Willie Tockarev?” – it sounds rather strange:
First of all, of course, he is musician,
Poet, bard, composer and singer of big stage –
That’s his brief and modest definition.
Everybody knows, who is Tockarev for us –
His majestic destiny is splendid,
His creative way changed its direction more than once,
Life was complicated, smart and blended.
Tockarev began his intercontinental race
In the city founded by Peter –
There he was studying to play the contrabass,
Treating bow and strings month by month neater.
(Forasmuch as instrument named strictly contrabass
Is inclined to have immense dimension,
It ought to be stored in some appropriate case –
This remarkable fact is to be mentioned!
If you want to bring a pretty girl in your hotel
Making this affair on the quiet,
Put her in a case, then close a lock and go well –
All will pass without noise and riot!)
Willie has not finished school of music till his youth,
But he joined the college very quickly
And became a regular musician – it’s a truth!
Singing strings were sounding not weakly…
Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ucraine, US
Can assert beyond whatever doubt:
Tockarev accompanied to prominent Bernes
(Probably, not only one bout).
Playing in ensemble this gentleman commenced to write
Melodies and verses (you may sight it).
“Though your voice is good, nevertheless you are not right!” –
Cultural officials decided.
Social-realistic art had its Procrustean bed –
Tockarev in music could not merit care:
Willie’s compositions were forbidden, he was sad,
Therefore took flight towards America.
Singer and composer arrived to Great New York
Only with five dollars in his pocket.
There he was compelled to seek a kind of suitable work,
Flying through the city like a rocket.
Nobody expected him in any western state,
For a stranger country was unknown;
But the singer entered an American brave gate,
Having no family, alone.
He arranged a library of some millionaire,
Drove a taxi, was a medicine brother,
Trying to fulfil a job completely everywhere –
Then these jobs were striven to change each other.
Once upon a time he marked a bakery to work,
There a baker mixed muck, mud and dough,
Telling during this affair: “People is not pork –
It consumes a whole nutritious row!”
After such performance, shameful for a Russian guest,
Willie left that bakery forever;
Then he chose a restaurant (perhaps it was the best
Owing to an emigrant’s endeavour).
Suddenly a visitor came in the restaurant
And demanded Willie with emotion:
“As far as I know, your ability is strong!
Play us, dear, “How deep is Ocean!”!”
Willie got excited: “What’s the matter? What’s the piece?!
This new riddle is out of my knowledge!
Sticking in the mire I see nothing but a mist
As a backward pupil of a college!”
Willie with a Jew from Lithuania went ahead
To the shop existing for musician
And among variety of shelves where notes were spread
Found the required composition!
After small rehearsal well-intentioned Willie’s band
Have performed this “How deep is Ocean!”
Listeners and spectators truly recognized this brand
When applauding with a vast emotion.
Generally speaking, our dear Brighton-Beach
With its wealthy and eventful story
Is well-known, but without Willie would not reach
Fame, attraction, prominence and glory!
Willie sings more wonderfully than a forest bird,
He emboldens smarter than a stinger!
Here one of the best musicians living in the world –
Robert Farnon – called him “Master Singer”!
Quarter of a century have passed in USA,
He returned to Russian Federation.
Commonwealth of Independent Countries on his way
Met him with success and admiration.
We wish Willie Tockarev to have a life as long
As a size of galaxy in heaven!
Let his friends and family sing dancing Waltz-chanson
On November, day number eleven!!!