Taras Shevchenko

Тарас Шевченко,
 * Taras Shevchenko (foundational Ukrainian writer)


 * «Полякам» "To Poles"

Performed by Bezler (Ukrainian) at the request of 1+1 journalist (Ukraine).

Rough translation, adapted from Saker blog
 * Ще як були ми козаками,     Remember days when we were Cossacks
 * А унії не чуть було,      And there was not a word about Unia
 * Отам-то весело жилось!      What a joyous life we had!
 * Братались з вольними ляхами, We were brothers with free Lyakhs (poles)
 * Пишались вольними степами, We were proud by our free steppes
 * В садах кохалися, цвіли,  In the gardens, loved, flourished,
 * Неначе лілії, дівчата.     Like lilies, were the girls
 * Пишалася синами мати,       A mother was proud by her sons
 * Синами вольними... Росли,   Sons had freedom... grew up
 * Росли сини і веселили     Sons grew up and gave joy
 * Старії скорбнії літа.. ...   To the old folks in their old age

(Saker blog continues):
 * Until in the name of Christ
 * The ксьондзи (Latin Priests) came and set afire
 * To our quiet paradise. And spilled
 * A huge sea of tears and blood,
 * And killed and crucified orphans
 * In the Name of Christ
 * The heads of Cossacks then dropped
 * Like trampled grass,
 * The Ukraine cried, and moaned!
 * And the head after head
 * Fell to the ground. As if enraged,
 * A priest furious tongue
 * Screamed: «Te Deum! Hallelujah! .. "
 * And this is how my Polish friend and brother!


 * Отак-то, ляше, друже, брате!    This is how it was, my friend, my brother lyakh!
 * Неситії ксьондзи, магнати    Evil Ksiądz and Magnates
 * Нас поризнилы, развели,      Divided, separated us.
 * А ми б і досі так жили. When we could have lived together happily.
 * Подай же руку козакові          Offer your hand to a Cossack,
 * І серце чистеє подай!       And open your clear heart!
 * І знову іменем Христовим     And than together, under God,
 * Ми оновим наш тихий рай.     We will renew our quiet paradise.