Songs

Otchego poblednela vesnoj
Why has the sumptuous rose
pyshnocvetnaja roza sama?
Grown pale in spring?
Otchego pod zeljonoj travoj
Why is the blue violet so mute
golubaja fialka nema?
Under the green grass?

Otchego tak pechal'no zvuchit
Why does the little bird’s song
pesnja ptichki, nesjas' v nebesa?
Sound so sad as it rises up to heaven?
Otchego nad lugami visit
Why does the dew hang over the meadows
pogrebal'nym pokrovom rosa?
Like a mourning veil?

Otchego v nebe solnce s utra
Why is the morning sun in the sky
kholodno i temno, kak zimoj?
Cold and dark, as in winter?
Otchego i zemlja vsja syra
Why is the earth so damp
i ugrjumej mogily samoj?
And gloomier than the grave itself?

Otchego ja i sam vse grustnej
Why do I grow sadder
i boleznennej den' oto dnja?
And sicker each day?
Otchego, o, skazhi mne skorej ty,
Why, oh tell me why, did you leave me
pokinuv, zabyla menja?
And forget me?