Apple and pear trees were in bloom
The mist crept over the river
On the bank walked Katyusha,
On the steep, high bank.
She walked and sang a song
Of a grey Steppe eagle,
Of the one she loved,
Of the one whose letters she kept
Oh song, dear little song
Fly into the bright sun
And to the soldier on the far frontier
Give greetings from Katyusha.
May he remember a simple young woman,
And hear how she sings
May he protect the native land
As Katyusha protects [their] love.
 

Track 2. Svad'ba (The Wedding)

A lone and lonely young man is walking down a long, deserted lane when he hears the bells and music of a wedding party coming down the lane toward him.

[Chorus] The wedding party feels like it has wings to fly above him. The space available is too small to contain the party's happiness. There is not sufficient sky or earth to contain the joy.

As he stands there, he notice the somber and stalwart groom, and the blinding beauty of the young bride.

[Chorus]

As everyone begins to say goodbye and give well-wishes to the happy couple, the young man stands in the lane thoroughly single and regrets that he is not the groom.

[Chorus]

Track 3. Tumbalalaika

This is a classic Yiddish riddle song, and sing the English words right after I sing the Yiddish words on the CD. Suffice it to say, the young man in question who tries to find himself a smart girl, finds one who outsmarts him.

Track 4. Cinderella

[This song is the story of Cinderella and one that every Russian-dpeaking girl is taught by her mother. We all know or have heard this one.]

[Cinderella speaks]

Believe it or not I had an amazing dream last night
A handsome prince rode up on a silver horse
We were greeted by dancers, drummers, and horn players.
There were 48 conductors but only one violinist

[Chorus and like a fa la la la la] Pa ra ru rum pa ra ru ra ru ra ru rum etc.

Believe it or not, it was an incredible ball
And a painter drew my portrait on the cuff of his shirt
A famous wise man pronounced that there were no women more beautiful than me
A composer sang songs to me and a poet read me poetry

[Chorus and like a fa la la la la] Pa ra ru rum pa ra ru ra ru ra ru rum etc.

Believe it or not, I danced and twirled like a top
And that perhaps is why I lost one of my glass slippers
But this morning, when my dream faded like clouds in the night,
There was a pair of glass slippers on my window sill

[Chorus and like a fa la la la la] Pa ra ru rum pa ra ru ra ru ra ru rum etc.

Track 5. Freylakh from: "Die Mame Is Gegangen in Mark Areyn"

Freylakh means joy or merriment and "Die Mame Is Gegangen in Mark Areyn" means "The Mother is Going to Market."

Track 6. Shar Goluboi [Blue Ballon]

The blue balloon is spinning and twirling
It's whirling and spinning overhead.
It is spinning and wants to fall
The adventuring man wants to steal the maiden

Where is the street and where is the house
Where is the young woman with whom I'm so in love
Here is the street and here is the house
And here is the young woman with whom I'm so in love

Track 7. Kalinka

Kalinka Kalinka Kalinka of mine
In the arbor grows a berry as sweet as red wine
Under the tree, under the green tree,
Ai liu li liu li
Lay me to sleep

Kalinka Kalinka Kalinka of mine
Little tree, oh little green tree
Please don't let your leaves rustle under me
Ai liu li liu li
Don't let your leaves rustle under me

Kalinka Kalinka Kalinka of mine
Beautiful maiden, maiden of my soul
Please fall in love with me
Ai liu li liu li
Please fall in love with me

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