Here are some translations I did of Russian chastushki from the Soviet era. The chastushka is a form of Russian folk verse, often sung to the strains of a guitar, balalaika or accordion.
Red cow of the collective farm, we all admire
How you give us milk and lots of fertilizer.
Instead of being fed, you were sent to school for Marxists,
Labor leaders are still awaiting cream because of this.
The whole collective farm is very, very proud of you,
Oh horned one, you're our very own main attraction true.
For in response to Lenin's own appeal throughout the land,
You heaped a load of fertilizer on the socialist plan.
What sort of Bolshevik is this
Climbing on the armored car?
He wears a little buttoned cap,
He can’t pronounce the letter r.
His arm is lifted to the sky,
Can you guess who this is? Try!
A car is standing on the hill,But with no tires it won't go far,All the tires were dragged away,
To make condoms for our collective farm.
Illustrations by Herb Allred
More of my Частушки translations
Red cow of the collective farm, we all admire
How you give us milk and lots of fertilizer.
Instead of being fed, you were sent to school for Marxists,
Labor leaders are still awaiting cream because of this.
The whole collective farm is very, very proud of you,
Oh horned one, you're our very own main attraction true.
For in response to Lenin's own appeal throughout the land,
You heaped a load of fertilizer on the socialist plan.
What sort of Bolshevik is this
Climbing on the armored car?
He wears a little buttoned cap,
He can’t pronounce the letter r.
His arm is lifted to the sky,
Can you guess who this is? Try!
A car is standing on the hill,But with no tires it won't go far,All the tires were dragged away,
To make condoms for our collective farm.
Illustrations by Herb Allred
More of my Частушки translations
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