The Ibis and the Cloud

In the distant heavens burns a golden fire,
Heart and wings are heavy, yet he fliers on higher…
Trapped the dreaming ibis, dampened wings and feathers –
By a murky darkness, by the wicked weather.

I had better ravel in my mist the ibis,
Lest he fly up higher, lest he meet his fortune,
Aches my heart entire, burns my soul in torture.
Lest he fly up higher, lest he meet his fortune,
Aches my heart entire, burns my soul in torture.

“Let the ibis go!” I beg of the cloud,
Let the starry traveler spread his feathers proudly,
But the murky cloud knows little sorrow,
Takes the flying ibis into dark tomorrows…

I had better ravel in my mist the ibis,
Lest he fly up higher, lest he meet his fortune,
Aches my heart entire, burns my soul in torture.
Lest he fly up higher, lest he meet his fortune,
Aches my heart entire, burns my soul in torture.


Music and lyrics by Oleg Gavrilyuk, People’s Artist of Ukraine
Translated by Vladimir Reznikov