The Ballad of Love by Vladimir Vysockiy

[Instrumental intro] When the water of the universal flood Returned again within the borders of the shores From the foam of the receding flow Love quietly emerged onto the land And dissolved into the air until the time was right And the time was forty times forty [Instrumental solo] And the odd ones – there are still some of them – Breathe in this mixture with full chests And expect neither rewards nor punishments And, thinking that they breathe just so They suddenly fall into the rhythm Of the same uneven breathing... [Instrumental solo] Only a feeling, like a ship, Can stay afloat for a long time Before realizing that I love The same way I breathe or live! And there will be plenty of wanderings and roamings The land of Love – a great land! And from its knights for trials It will ask more strictly It will demand separations and distances Deprive them of peace, rest, and sleep... [Instrumental solo] But you can’t turn the madmen back They are already willing to pay Any price – they would risk their lives To not let the magical invisible thread That stretches between them be torn... [Instrumental solo] The fresh wind intoxicated the chosen ones Knocked them off their feet, resurrected the dead Because if you didn't love It means you didn't live or breathe! But many who choked on love Can’t be called back, no matter how you shout... Rumors and idle talk keep count of them But this count is stained with blood And we will place candles at the heads Of those who perished from unseen love... [Instrumental solo] Their voices are given to merge in unison And their souls are given to wander in the flowers And to breathe eternity in one breath And meet with a sigh on their lips On fragile crossings and bridges On the narrow crossroads of the universe... I will spread fields for lovers Let them sing in their sleep and awake! I breathe – and therefore, I love! I love – and therefore, I live! [Instrumental outro]