Zhanna Bichevskaya, the well-known patriotic Russian Orthodox singer, a convert to the Faith after her fame in the Soviet period, is often accused of nationalism. Although there is truth in this as regards some of her songs, one thing that she cannot be accused of is a lack of zeal. Below we print translations into English of two of her songs (The Youtube references give the original melodies).
The first song (‘Po Doroge v Zagorsk’) is not so much a translation as a new song. The original is filled with great melancholy and regret; our version expresses the joyful transformation of a young girl into a mother. The second song (‘Russkie Idut’) in the original does express nationalism, but we have changed it into an Orthodox marching-song, which expresses the energy and vigour of our Orthodox Faith.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47XQAfq5o1Q
On the Way to the Church
On the way to the church you can’t help seeing that the new season
Has lost July’s power and daring and August’s splendour and reason,
That it grows dark at seven and the thinning trees look neglected,
That the fields are empty and life has not been as you expected,
That with the awaited birth of a child you felt both joy and pain
And at being a new mother there is each day wonder again,
And that takes you to your heart from where the old solitude has flown,
That love of family has taken over from when you were alone.
On the way to church you can’t help hearing ringing bells that entrance
And knowing that life is not a dress to alter for a dance,
That the freedom you had was loneliness and not at all rosy
And that the sadness of autumn makes your family life feel cosy.
And you want to shout from your loving heart for the whole world to hear
The words of fulfilment, ‘I have everything I ever wanted’.
And you want to shout from your loving heart for the whole world to hear
The words of fulfilment, ‘I have everything I ever wanted’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbYiOiqU8IU
Orthodox March
Orthodox march, through the ages of pagan night,
Orthodox march, beating the foes of heaven’s home,
Orthodox march, on and on to Jerusalem light,
Orthodox march, on and on to free the Third Rome.
Refrain:
March, march, march,
Orthodox march, gather to march
All who survived the blood and strife.
March, march, march,
Orthodox march, staying the knife
Of all who would end Spirit-filled life.
Orthodox march and the lights go on once again,
Orthodox march, reminding all of who we are,
Orthodox march to stem the sins and wars of men,
Orthodox march, defending all, both near and far.
Refrain:
March, march, march,
Orthodox march, gather to march
All who survived the blood and strife.
March, march, march,
Orthodox march, staying the knife
Of all who would end Spirit-filled life.
Orthodox march and gloom and darkness flee our coasts,
Orthodox march, helped by all the heavenly hosts,
Orthodox ride ever on, feet in the stirrup,
Orthodox hold back America and Europe.
Orthodox ride ever on, feet in the stirrup,
Orthodox hold back America and Europe.
Refrain:
March, march, march,
Orthodox march, gather to march
All who survived the blood and strife.
March, march, march,
Orthodox march, staying the knife
Of all who would end Spirit-filled life.
Orthodox march to put the fear of death behind,
Orthodox march, by Christ’s great banner we are led,
Orthodox march and gather to God all mankind,
Orthodox march, Holy Mary and saints ahead.
Orthodox march and gather to God all mankind,
Orthodox march, Holy Mary and saints ahead.
Refrain x 2:
March, march, march,
Orthodox march, gather to march
All who survived the blood and strife.
March, march, march,
Orthodox march, staying the knife
Of all who would end Spirit-filled life.