Vladimir Vysotsky's anthemic song "I Don't like" written in 1969 is the poet's manifesto in which he states his life principles through negation of the things he hates.
The Original Title
Я не люблю
The Literal Title
I Don't Like
A More "poetic" title
Information about the poet and poem
Vladimir Vysotsky (1938 – 1980) is an iconic Russian singer, songwriter, poet and actor whose creative works had an immense and enduring effect on Russian and Soviet culture. Long before he was recognized by the official Soviet establishment, Vysotsky achieved remarkable fame as an underground 'bard' (poet and singer) by means of self-recorded reel-to-reel tapes circulating first among Moscow artists and then all over the country. Later, as his popularity could no longer be ignored, a number of his songs were included in cinema films, and the major USSR recording studio Melodia released two of Vysotsky's vinyl albums.
The poet accompanied himself on a seven-string guitar, with an intense throaty voice singing ballads of love, peace, war, everyday Soviet life.A unique quality of Vysotsky is that he equally appeals to people from different backgrounds - from working people to the intelligentsia. He has the ring of honesty and truth, sometimes with an ironic touch. The famous song I Don't like recorded in 1969 is the poet's manifesto in which he states his life principles through negation of the things he hates. Click the link below to watch a video recording of an old TV show with Vladimir Vysotsky talking about the song and performing it with an acoustic guitar.
The Original Poem
Я не люблю́ фата́льного исхо́да,
От жи́зни никогда́ не устаю́.
Я не люблю́ любо́е вре́мя го́да,
Когда́ весёлых пе́сен не пою́.
Я не люблю́ холо́дного цини́зма,
В восто́рженность не ве́рю, и ещё,
Когда́ чужо́й мои́ чита́ет пи́сьма,
Загля́дывая мне через плечо́.
Я не люблю́, когда́ наполови́ну
И́ли когда́ прерва́ли разгово́р.
Я не люблю́, когда́ стреля́ют в спи́ну,
Я та́кже про́тив вы́стрелов в упо́р.
Я ненави́жу спле́тни в ви́де ве́рсий,
Черве́й сомне́нья, по́честей иглу́,
И́ли, когда́ всё вре́мя про́тив ше́рсти,
И́ли, когда́ желе́зом по стеклу́.
Я не люблю́ уве́ренности сы́той,
Уж лу́чше пусть отка́жут тормоза́!
Доса́дно мне, что сло́во “честь” забы́то,
И что в чести́ наве́ты за глаза́.
Когда́ я ви́жу сло́манные кры́лья,
Нет жа́лости во мне и неспроста́ –
Я не люблю́ наси́лье и бесси́лье,
Вот то́лько жаль распя́того Христа́.
Я не люблю́ себя́, когда́ я тру́шу,
Доса́дно мне, когда́ неви́нных бьют,
Я не люблю́, когда́ мне ле́зут в ду́шу,
Тем бо́лее, когда́ в неё плюю́т.
Я не люблю́ мане́жи и аре́ны,
На них мильо́н меняю́т по рублю́,
Пусть впереди́ больши́е переме́ны,
Я э́то никогда́ не полюблю́.
A Literal Translation
I don’t like a tragic ending
Of life I never tire
I don’t like any time of year
When I’m not singing happy songs.
I dislike open cynicism
I don’t trust over-excitedness and also
When a stranger reads my letters
Looking over my shoulder.
I don’t like when [things] are half-way
Or when they’ve interrupted a conversation
I don’t like when they shoot [one] in the back
I’m also against shots point-blank.
I hate rumors in the form of theories,
Worms of doubt, the needle of fame,
Or, when, all the time [they stroke] against the fur
Or, when iron [is used] across glass.
I don’t like smug contentedness
Much better – let the brakes fail!
[It’s] vexing to me that the word “honor” is forgotten
And that in honor are behind-the-back slanders.
When I see broken wings
There is no pity in me and not without a reason
I dislike violence and powerlessness
Although I feel sympathy for the crucified Christ.
I don’t like myself when I act cowardly
I feel wronged when they beat innocents
I don’t like when they intrude on my feelings
Especially when they spit on them.
I don’t like circus rings and arenas
In them they break a million into singles
Let big changes[lie] ahead
This I’ll never grow to like.
A More "Poetic" Translation
1. https://wysotsky.com/1033.htm?1017
2. https://linguafennica.wordpress.com/2016/02/21/i-do-not-like-%D1%8F-%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D0%BB%D1%8E%D0%B1%D0%BB%D1%8E-vladimir-vysotsky/
3. *Vadim Astrakhan - research his translations
An Audio Link
Listen to this poem here.
A Video Link
Video for this poem here.
A Picture to Display
A Link to Associated Kindle Book with Text
Game Script
Concentration