C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Folk-Songs

Translation of Pauline W. Brigham

MAY in the court! Begins now the planting;

Sings in his furrow the sower.

Songs of my fatherland, mournful, enchanting,

Sadly I hear you once more.

Yet in your cadences sad and pathetic,

Born of an infinite pain,

There is a something unknown and prophetic

Echoing through their refrain!

Conquering sorrow, their melodies swelling

Thrill with the vigor of youth;

Vanish the torments of years beyond telling

Under the sway of their truth.

Mayst thou, my Russia, for glory created,

Mayst thou, my fatherland dear—

No! Freedom’s songs thy children ill-fated

Ne’er o’er these prairies shall hear!