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Stenka Razin 
Stenka Razin 
From beyond the wooded island To the river wide and free Proudly sailed the arrow-breasted Ships of Cossack yeomanry. 
On the first is Stenka Razin With his princess by his side Drunken holds in marriage revels With his beauteous young bride. 
From behind there comes a murmur "He has left his sword to woo; One short night and Stenka Razin Has become a woman, too." 
Stenka Razin hears the murmur Of his discontented band And his lovely Persian princess He has circled with his hand. 
His dark brows are drawn together As the waves of anger rise; And the blood comes rushing swiftly To his piercing jet black eyes. 
"I will give you all you ask for Head and heart and life and hand." And his voice rolls out like thunder Out across the distant land. 
Volga, Volga, Mother Volga Wide and deep beneath the sun, You have never such a present From the Cossacks of the Don. 
So that peace may reign forever In this band so free and brave Volga, Volga, Mother Volga Make this lovely girl a grave. 
Now, with one swift mighty motion 
He has raised his bride on high And has cast her where the waters Of the Volga roll and sigh. 
Now a silence like the grave Sinks to all who stand and see And the battle-hardened Cossacks Sink to weep on bended knee. 
"Dance, you fools, and let's be merry What is this that's in your eyes? Let us thunder out a chantey To the place where beauty lies." 
From beyond the wooded island To the river wide and free Proudly sailed the arrow-breasted Ships of Cossack yeomanry. 
Russian folk song; translator unknown From the Folksinger's Wordbook apr97