With no memory

A gray haze has shrouded the past,
We are deaf, as if struck from memory's roll!
Without the songs that our own folk cast,
Like dust 'neath a stranger's fence, we're alone.

With no memory, we can't feel remorse,
No forgiveness for sins we embrace!
For trampling our parents' true course,
For the ruin of our land, a disgrace!

It still writhes, our dear land in pain,
Convulsed by the wars that are new!
We finish her off with slops and disdain,
Drowning the ache with our filth and with rue.

Our forefathers' honor and glory,
We've bartered for vodka and cheese!
All the Gazproms won't change this story,
We care not for ourselves or for peace.

They blare from the airwaves with gall:
"We are one, all the people and lands!"
But in N-sk, in a brawl at the mall,
We're breaking each other's hands.

Such a sorrowful logic we've got
In a country that's conquered its soul!
We mustn't be scum — that's our lot,
But people whose honor is whole.