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The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Hey, driver." (Ey, schofyor) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

"Hey, driver, take me to Butyrsky khutor,

Where the prison is, and hurry up!"

"You're late, comrade,

You've missed it by two years -

They're already dismantling the prison for bricks."

"What a shame, I got up early today

To visit my native places...

Well, never mind, driver,

Take me to "Taganka", then, -

I'll have a look, I've been there too."

"They demolished the old "Taganka", -

Completely, to the ground!"

"Well, driver, let's go back then,

Turn your wheel around -

We're going home empty-handed."

"Or no, driver, let's have a smoke,

Or better yet - let's have a drink!

Let's drink to the day when there are

No more prisons left in Russia,

To the day when there are no more camps in Russia!"

- Эй, шофер, вези - Бутырский хутор,

Где тюрьма, - да поскорее мчи!

- Ты, товарищ, опоздал,

ты на два года перепутал -

Разбирают уж тюрьму на кирпичи.

- Очень жаль, а я сегодня спозаранку

По родным решил проехаться местам...

Ну да ладно, что ж, шофер,

вези меня в "Таганку", -

Погляжу, ведь я бывал и там.

- Разломали старую "Таганку" -

Подчистую, всю, ко всем чертям!.

- Что ж, шофер, давай назад,

крути-верти назад свою баранку, -

Так ни с чем поедем по домам.

Или нет, шофер, давай закурим,

Или лучше - выпьем поскорей!

Пьем за то, чтоб не осталось

по России больше тюрем,

Чтоб не стало по России лагерей!

In Vladimir Vysotsky's song "Hey, Driver", we witness an allegorical story about a man who, upon returning from prison, discovers that the world around him has changed. Using the metaphor of demolished prisons, Vysotsky speaks of hope for change, for a society without repression and injustice.

The protagonist, freshly released, seeks to visit places connected to his past – Butyrka prison and "Taganka" (most likely referring to Taganskaya prison). However, the driver informs him that both prisons have been dismantled. This moment is crucial for understanding the song's meaning. The destruction of prisons symbolizes the collapse of the old system, the downfall of the repressive apparatus.

It's important to note that the protagonist doesn't feel disappointed that the prisons are gone. On the contrary, he suggests to the driver to just drive "around," implying that now, without prisons, one can travel freely, without fear of imprisonment.

The final toast "to Russia having no more prisons" is not just the protagonist's wish, but a dream of freedom, of a just society without repression and violence.

Written in 1972, "Hey, Driver" became not only a reflection of the aspirations of Soviet dissidents but also a symbol of hope for change for the entire society.

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