As me and my mother dear were parting
All the kindred of mine came up running
"Ah, lad, where are you going to? Where?
Dont you go, Vanek, to be a soldier!"
"The Red Army has enough bayonets!
The Bolsheviks can do well without you."
"Are you leaving by force? Or willingly?
Vania, Vania, you will die so vainly!"
"White with worry turned the hair of your mother
Look how much work needs the field and the house!"
"The days of oppression are no longer!
You'd better marry Arina, darling!"
"Live with your young wife, dont be idle!"
Thats when I bowed to my mother dear!
Bowed to my kindred by the doorstep:
"Dont you cry for me, for god's sakes!"
"Should everyone be like you, gawkers
What would be left of Moscow and Russia?"
"All would be as in bitter times gone
Our land and freedom would again be taken away!"
