(no subject)

[sobersides.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm a language geek with a strong interest in acquiring Russian down the road. Recently I've been exposed to folksy Russian music and really loving it – I was wondering if anyone would mind telling me what this this song is about? Full translation not necessary unless you'd like of course, just knowing the gist of the lyrics would be fine with me. If posts of this kind are not allowed, feel free to delete, and thanks.

Bulat Okudzava, Nikogo Ne Domoi

Comments

[ex-ex-zhuzh.livejournal.com]

Wow. The correct title is "Nikogo ne budet doma" (Nobody will be at home), and it's not Bulat Okudzhava's song (lyrics by Boris Pasternak, music by Sergei Nikitin) and I wouldn't say it's folksy. I'm glad you like it, it's a great song. You can find a full translation here: http://www.kulichki.com/poems/Poets/bp/Eng/bp_2.html

[burrru.livejournal.com]

Yeah... it's one of the typical cases: moderate guitar player takes a verse of Nobel prize winner (in this case - from Pasternak, sometimes - from Brodsky), throws some words away, adds few simple sounds and claims the song.

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

I think that "folksy" means "in folksingers' style," which means exactly this - more or less mediocre singing of long verses (however good the poetry is,) self-accompanied on guitar.

[sobersides.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. Thanks so much for the link & clarification!

[oryx_and_crake]

Nice translation, but "And the icy firewood femine" sounds somewhat vague; it should be "famine" and in the original verses the author meant fuel shortage (not enough firewood).