Hamardaban

Hamardaban*
             To the memory of Yuri Visbor


Another day, another night
The sky pours down, it’s all right.
Taiga is law, taiga’s around,
Grey fog above and on the ground…
    No soul ahead, no hope behind,
    The world - just specter in your mind…
    It comes to you – beneath the Sun
    The only land is Hamardaban!

Another yard, another mile,
The sun came shining for a while.
It put your spirit right on track,
Rucksack and rifle are on your back.
    A tent is set and life is great,
    A tin is opened with a blade.
    No matter what - beneath the Sun
    The Promised Land is Hamardaban!

Your rifle is rusting and your knife,
It was your job, it was your life.
When youth has gone, when life is done,
Remember ridge Hamardaban.
    You were driven by your whims,
    No glory hidden in your dreams.
    You knew the truth – beneath the Sun
    No land resembles Hamardaban…

*Вольный перевод на английский и посвящение моей любимой со студенческих лет песне Юрия Визбора "Хамардабан".