The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Ships" (Korabli) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

The ships will stand still

And set their course

But they return

Through the storms

Less than half a year will pass

And I'll appear

Only to leave again

Only to leave again for half a year

Less than half a year will pass

And I'll appear

Only to leave again

Only to leave again for half a year

Everyone returns

Except the best of friends

Except the most beloved

And devoted women

Everyone returns

Except those who are needed most

I don't believe in fate

I don't believe in fate

And in myself — even less

Everyone returns

Except those who are needed most

I don't believe in fate

I don't believe in fate

And in myself — even less

But I want to think

That it's not like this

That burning ships

Will soon go out of fashion

Of course, I'll be back

Full of friends and deeds

Of course, I'll sing

Of course, I'll sing

Less than half a year will pass

Of course, I'll be back

Full of friends and dreams

Of course, I'll sing

Of course, I'll sing

Less than half a year will pass

Корабли постоят

И ложатся на курс

Но они возвращаются

Сквозь непогоды

Не пройдет и полгода

И я появлюсь

Чтобы снова уйти

Чтобы снова уйти на полгода

Не пройдет и полгода

И я появлюсь

Чтобы снова уйти

Чтобы снова уйти не полгода

Возвращаются все

Кроме лучших друзей

Кроме самых любимых

И преданных женщин

Возвращаются все

Кроме тех, кто нужней

Я не верю судьбе

Я не верю судьбе

А себе — еще меньше

Возвращаются все

Кроме тех, кто нужней

Я не верю судьбе

Я не верю судьбе

А себе — еще меньше

Но мне хочется думать

Что это не так

Что сжигать корабли

Скоро выйдет из моды

Я, конечно, вернусь

Весь в друзьях и в делах

Я, конечно, спою

Я, конечно, спою

Не пройдет и полгода

Я, конечно, вернусь

Весь в друзьях и мечтах

Я, конечно, спою

Я, конечно, спою

Не пройдет и полгода

The song "Ships" by Vladimir Vysotsky carries a deep philosophical meaning, touching upon the themes of the transience of time, the cyclical nature of life, loss, and hope.

The metaphor of ships leaving and returning from voyages embodies the life journey of the lyrical hero. He, like a ship, embarks on a journey full of dangers and trials ("through storms and gales"), promising to return in six months. This time period symbolizes a certain stage in life that the hero seeks to overcome and return renewed.

However, there is also a tragic motif in the text. The lyrical hero bitterly acknowledges that not everyone returns from such journeys: "All return but the best of friends, but the most beloved and devoted women." These lines speak of the inevitability of loss, that on the path of life, we lose the people dearest and closest to our hearts.

The hero does not believe in fate, and he believes in himself even less. This confession speaks of his inner struggle, of his attempts to accept the inevitable. However, despite the bitterness of loss and disbelief, a note of hope sounds in the finale of the song: "But I want to believe that this is not so, that burning one's ships will soon go out of fashion." The hero clings to the hope that losses are not a sentence, that he will be able to return to a life full of friends and creative achievements ("I will certainly sing").

The repeating phrase "not even half a year will pass" emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, but at the same time its transience. Time is relentless, and the hero can only hope that he will have time to return before it is too late.