Songs

Kaby znala ja, 'If only I'd known better'

by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

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Text

Kaby znala ja, 'If only I'd known better'
Russian source: Aleksey Tolstoy

Kabï znala ya, kabï vedala,
Ne smotrela bï iz okoshechka
Ya na molodtsa razudalovo,
Kak on ekhal po nashey ulitse.
Nabekren zalomivshi murmolku,
Kak likhovo konya bulanovo,
Zvonko nogovo, dolgo grivovo
Suprotiv okon na dïbï vzdïmal!

Kabï znala ya, kabï vedala,
Dlya nevo bï ya ne ryadilasa,
S zolotoy kaymoy lentu aluyu
V kosu dlinnuyu ne v pletala bï,
Rano do svetu ne vstavala bï,
Za okolitsu ne speshila bï,
V rose nozhenki ne mochila bï,
Na prosyolok tot ne glyadela bï,
Ne proyedet li tem prosyolkom on,
Na ruke derzha pyostra sokola?
Kabï znala ya, kabï vedala!

Kabï znala ya, kabï vedala,
Ne sidela bï pozdnim vecherom,
Prigoryu nivshis na zavaline,
Na zavaline, bliz kolodezya,
Podzhidayuchi, da gadayuchi,
Ne pridyot li on, nenaglyadnïy moy!
Napoit konya studenoy vodoy!
Kabï znala ya, kabï vedala!

Composer

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer of the Romantic period. His works are still among the most popular music in the classical repetoire, and he is widely acknowledged as the first Russian composer to make a lasting international…

Poet

Aleksey Tolstoy

Aleksey Nikolayevich Tolstoy was a Russian writer whose works span across many genres, but mainly belonged to science fiction and historical fiction. Information from Wikipedia. 

Performances

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