Nikolay Rubtsov
In a starry night

Full of light is room of mine.
Light is coming from afar.
So brightly heavens shine
Twinkling with a bright night star.

Keeping silence all the time
Dear mother takes a pail.
Stars above still brighter shine
And the water tastes like ale.

Mother, tell me what's the time?
Why are you departing away?
D'you remember, every time
Earthly night lights up our way?

Dark-red flowers of mine
In my garden all did die.
And in low waters' clime
Soon the boat will rot and die...

So many falls and ups,
So many joys have gone.
As if eternity passed,
Years, — so hard, forlon...

As if I hear bells' ring,
Easter dead villages'call
Dream, dream, dream, eternal dream
Softly will start dimming all...

Translated by Lyubov Kalmykova