Stenka Rasin / Songs and Lyrics

Version 1

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X:1
T:Stenka Rasin
C:Trad
O:Russia
Z:Webmaster
N:C17th Russian folk song, Stepan (Stenka) Rasin died 1671.
N:This translation copyright © JSMF)
M:3/4
L:1/4
Q:1/4=120
K:G
z z D/2D/2 | G3/2 F/2 A/2G/2 | G F D/2D/2 | c3/2 A/2 d/2A/2 | B2 G/2G/2
w:From be-yond the rock-y is-land, skim-ming o’er the boi-ling wave, Sten-ka
e3/2 d/2 c/2e/2 | d B D/2D/2 | B3/2 A/2 c/2F/2 | G2 z ||
w:Ra-sin’s migh-ty Coss-acks steer their gil-ded skiff so brave
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W:
W:From beyond the rocky island, skimming o’er the boiling wave,
W:Stenka Rasin’s mighty Cossacks steer their gilded skiff so brave.
W:
W:In the stern sits Stenka Rasin, with his Princess by his side,
W:Newly joined in joyful marriage, drunk in honour of his bride.
W:
W:She sits steeped in sad reflection, neither quick she seems, nor dead,
W:While the Cossack’s drunken speeches roll unheeded o’er her head.
W:
W:From behind them rises murmuring, “For a girl he’s left our clan;
W:After scarce a night of marriage, he has ceased to be a man.”
W:
W:But this mockery and murmuring reach the haughty Cossack’s ears,
W:He takes hold his Persian princess, heeding neither prayers nor tears.
W:
W:Flows the hot blood to his temples, and with hot tears fill his eyes,
W:His black brows are bound in anger; Leaping to his feet, he cries,
W:
W:“Volga, Volga, thou life giver, no gift has thou had from me,
W:Volga, mighty Russian river, this fair princess give I thee.
W:
W:And, in order that there may be no strife ‘mid my people free,
W:Volga, Volga, Mother River, take this beauty now from me!”
W:
W:Fearful Cossacks freeze in wonder; ne’er a hand is raised to save;
W:He takes hold his Persian princess, throws her in the foaming wave.
W:
W:“Why are you cast down, my comrades? Sing my friends, and jest, my fool.
W:Let us eat drink and make merry to the mem’ry of her soul.
W:
W:From beyond the rocky island to the running river wave,
W:Glides the gilded Cossack galley of Stenka Rasin, the Brave.

Version 2

Version 3

Song Note

Song by Traditional
Country of origin: Russia ?

Folk song references:

Song to be found in the following collection(s):

After The Campfire Song Book