[Russian folk lament — spoken-sung with accent] [Intro – accordion drone, soft, rising from silence. 4 bars, D minor, 85 BPM] [Verse 1 – male voice, recited, dark] Black raven, vhy do you circle Over my head tonight? You vill not get your prey here, Black raven, I am not yours. [PAUSE: 3 sec] [Verse 2 – male voice, slightly warmer] Vhy do you spread your talons? Vhy do you sing your song? If you vant your feast here, Carry a message for me. [PAUSE: 3 sec] [Verse 3 – male voice, memory of mother] Fly to my homeland, Vere my mother raised me. Tell her quietly, That I fell for my land. [PAUSE: 3 sec] [Verse 4 – male voice, quiet gratitude to father] Tell my father separately, That I did not shame my blood. Before the enemy, I did not take a step back. [PAUSE: 4 sec] [Verse 5 – male voice, farewell to love] Give my bloody handkerchief To my beloved one. Tell her — the brave varrrior Has married another there. [PAUSE: 3 sec] [Bridge – balalaika solo, rubato, soft, 4 bars] [Final Verse – male voice, almost breaking] The string has sung its song Over my head tonight. I see my death has come — Black raven, I am yours. [Outro – accordion fade, soft, fade to silence, 4 bars]
