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.