Russian songs translated: ‘Valenki’ (Sing with us)
This is a folk song about Russian winter boots that will make you want to dance the ‘khorovod’!
‘Valenki’ wool winter boots have long been a symbol of Russia, just like the matryoshka or samovar. Even songs have been written about them! This particular folk composition became famous across the nation in the 1940s after the performance of singer Lidia Ruslanova.
‘Валенки’ – ‘Valenki’
Валенки да валенки, ой, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Нельзя валенки носить, не в чем к милому ходить.
Valenki, yes valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
I can’t wear valenki, nothing to put on to go to my dear.
Припев (Chorus)
Валенки, валенки, эх, не подшиты, стареньки,
Валенки, валенки, эх, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Ой ты, Коля, Николай, сиди дома, дома, не гуляй.
Не ходи на тот конец, ох, не носи девкам колец.
Hey you, Kolya, Nikolai, sit at home, don’t go out.
Don’t go to the other side, oh, don’t carry rings to girls.
Припев (Chorus)
Валенки, валенки, эх, не подшиты, стареньки,
Валенки, валенки, эх, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Чем подарочки носить, ой, да лучше валенки подшить.
Чем подарочки носить, лучше валенки подшить.
Better stitch valenki, than to carry gifts.
Better stitch valenki, oh, than to carry gifts.
Припев (Chorus)
Валенки, валенки, эх, не подшиты, стареньки,
Валенки, валенки, эх, да не подшиты, стареньки.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Valenki, valenki, oh, they are unstitched, old.
Суди, люди, суди, Бог, как же я любила,
По морозу босиком к милому ходила.
Judge, people, judge, God, oh how I loved,
I was walking barefoot in the frost to my dear.
