Vysotsky's Lyrics: Translation by Stanley Altshuller

Fastidious horses
The one who's been with her before

Source: Moshkow's Library
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Fastidious horses
Russian title: Koni priveredlivye

On a rugged cliff, the very edge, above the endless chasm
I keep lashing at my horses with my whip clenched in a spasm
But the air is growing thinner, I am gasping, drowning, crying
I can sense with horrid wonder, I am vanishing, I'm dying

	chorus:
	Slow your gallop, oh my horses! Slow your gallop I say!
	Don't you listen to my stinging whip!
	But the horses I was given, stubborn and so unforgiving,
	Can't complete the life I'm living, cant conclude the verse I'm singing

I will stop for a blink, I will let horses drink
For a brief second more, I will stand on the brink...

I will perish, as a feather that the hurricane has swallowed,
In a chariot they'll pull me through the snow in blinding gallop
All I ask of you my horses, slow your pace but for a moment
To prolong the final seconds of approach to my last comfort.

	chorus

We have made it. Right on time, God has left us with few choices
But the why are angels singing with such fiendish scolding voices,
Or it that the horse bell ringing in a frenzy drenched with tears,
Or is it I the one who's screaming for my horses to shift gears?

	final chorus:
	Slow your gallop, oh my horses! Slow your gallop I say!
	Don't you listen to my stinging whip!
	But the horses I was given, stubborn and so unforgiving,
	Can't complete the life I'm living, at least let me finish singing

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The one who's been with her before
Russian title: Tot, kto ran'she s neyu byl

I didn't drink or sing that night,
I stared at her with all my might.
Like children stare, like children stare.

But the one who's been with her before
Yelled out at me "You better go!"
Yelled out at me "You better go, You've no prayer!"

And the one who's been with her before 
Was rude and wouldn't let it go;
But I remember, I was still sober,
I started walking towards the door,
She asked me "Stay a minute more",
She asked me "Stay a minute more, the night's not over."

But he who's been with her before
Did not forget me, I am sure,
And once in autumn, and once in autumn...
I'm out walking with my bro,
I saw them standing in a row,
I saw them standing in a row, there were eight of 'em!

And so I think, I've got my blade,
You'll never take me, just you wait!
I'll show you bastards! I'll show you bastards!
Why should I die without a fight? 
I was the first to strike that night,
I was the first to strike that night, and that was justice.

But the one who's been with her before, 
He cooked this plot up, I just know.
I've thought it over, I've thought it over.
When someone struck me  from behind
Varyuha screamed: "Watch out, Might!"
Varyuha screamed: "Watch out, Might!" But it was over.

To my eight woes just one reply,
And in the slammer where I lie,
There also surgeons, there also surgeons.
The doctor sliced me left and right,
All he could say was: "Hold on tight",
All he could say was: "Hold on tight",
And I was holding...

All in a glance the years flew by.
She didn't wait, and didn't try,
But I forgive her, I do forgive her.
I did forgive her, that's for sure,
But he who's been with her before,
but he who's been with her before,
Is not forgiven.

I did forgive her, that's for sure,
But he who's been with her before,
With him who's been with her before,
I will get even!

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