Songs of a Lifeline

All words by: Taras Shevchenko
1. THE TESTAMENT
Translated by E. L. Voynich

Dig my grave and raise my barrow
By the Dnieper-side
In Ukraina, my own land,
A fair land and wide...................
 

2. A REFLECTION

Translated by John Weir

The river empties to the sea,
But out it never flows;
The Cossack lad his fortune seeks,
But never fortune knows........

3. DON'T ENVY
Translated by John Weir

Don't envy, friend, a wealthy man:
A rich man's life is spent
Without a friend or faithful love --
Those things he has to rent.....

4. LIGHTS ARE BLAZING
Translated by John Weir

The lights are blazing, music's playing,
Like jewels gleaming in the night
The eyes of youth are shining gaily,
Alight with hope, with pleasure flaming;
 

5. THE BOAT
Translated by Vera Rich

The wind blows, speaking with the grove,
It whispers in the reeds,
Down the river glides the boat,
Lone upon the stream.    
On it glides, swamped by the tide, —
No one checks its course.......................