text B. Okudgava, music Shvarts
translated by Poxana Paul
Not tailored yet your gown for wedding,
And the choir doesn’t chant for the bride.
But it’s a hurrying and frivolous moment, -
And horses are asking for fly.
And horses are asking for fly.
Ah, only the troika wouldn’t stray from the round.
The harness bell wouldn’t die in a song.
Two old friends forever – the love and the parting
Do never go walking apart.
Two old friends forever – the love and the parting
Do never go walking apart.
We opened the gates ourselves, we did it.
Happy horses we harnessed to ride.
And here is something to shine in the darkness,
But something went out to die.
The science of saints – to hear each other
Through winds in the time ever last!
Two palmers forever – the love and the parting
Completely will share with us.
Ah, only the troika wouldn’t stray from the round.
The harness bell wouldn’t die in a song.
Two old friends forever – the love and the parting
Do never go walking apart.
Two old friends forever – the love and the parting
Do never go walking apart.
The longer we live, the shorter the years
And the sweeter the voices of friends.
Ah, only the bell’s song wouldn’t die in the bow,
And eyes would be looking at eyes!
The shore or the sea, the sun or the blizzard,
The swallows or the raven’s flock…
Two roads forever – the love and the parting
Are crossing my heart like a hole.
Ah, only the troika wouldn’t stray from the round.
The harness bell wouldn’t die in a song.
Two old friends forever – the love and the parting
Do never go walking apart.
Two old friends forever – the love and the parting
Do never go walking apart.
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Russian poet Alexander Pushkin has been described by biographers as an inveterate gambler. He was known to believe in omens and fortune-telling. Pushkin's story The Queen of Spades tells of the card player, Hermann, who becomes obsessed with the secret of three consecutive winning cards ‘three, seven, ace’. His obsession drives him to takes his entire savings to a card game. However, Hermann somehow ends up playing the Queen of Spades, rather than the ace, and therefore loses, and then confined to an asylum.
This theme was expressed in the oil painting in the northern realist traditions style, created in 18th century by an unknown artist. They say the picture has a magic nature due to “secret hostility” of the Queen of Spades. At times one may see the Queen of Spades instead of the ace here. It is concealed in the Hermitage’s repository.
FROM THE NOVEL:
“Off course you know this cafe was a favorite Pushkin’s place. He composed some plots of his poems and novelettes here while sipping coffee.”
“Sure. By the way I recently had a lucky chance to sight a painting, which probably created by Pushkin himself. It is kept in the Hermitage’s repository out of public’s eyes. They say Pushkin created it when worked on The Queen of Spades story. Do you remember the story’s plot?”
“Yes…in general.”
“So, there are a candelabrum with three candles and a pack of playing cards. Three cards are opened: three, seven, ace”. The first candle is newly lighted. It symbolizes the very beginning of the creation process. The second candle is a bit guttered and one can see angel’s wings, which formed of wax. It is symbol of author’s inspiration. The third candle has nearly burnt down. Its guttered wax looks like a gargoyle. The implication is the devilish essence of gambling.”
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