The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Bengali Couplets" (Kupletyi Bengalskogo) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

Shine, refinement, and society so grand!

God, create at least fifty more Odessas, if you can!

Yet, it will still be crowded here, I swear.

They say a queen from Nepal once visited, it's true,

And some important lord from Edinburgh too.

And from here, it's closer, don't you see,

To Berlin and Paris than from Saint Petersburg.

A patron and a tycoon arrived one day,

Loaded with cash, a whimsical sort of fellow.

If he had an air of arrogance, it wouldn't stay,

Once he walked the streets of Odessa, hello!

Among the piquant details, there are two:

Such elegant men you'll rarely view.

And Odessa's women, what can I say?

They're modest, poetic, clever in every way,

And if absolutely necessary, beautiful, too.

Dockworkers, unmatched in strength and might,

Relax with fables of Krylov, day and night.

If you're even a bit of an artist or a bard,

You'll be understood in Odessa, every word.

There's no escaping, I swear it's true,

From art enthusiasts, through and through.

The press has written about it time and again.

If England and the States are lacking men

To be patrons of the arts, well then,

Let them come borrow some from Odessa, my friend!

Ladies, gentlemen, I'm overwhelmed and stirred!

Madame, monsieur, I'm happy it's occurred!

Ladies, gentlemen, a hundredfold I'd meet my end,

To die and be reborn here, again and again!

Odessa has it all: the sea, the songs, the port,

The boulevard, the stairs, a countless cohort,

Crabs, oysters, acacias, maisons chantees.

Yes, our city thrives, but you see,

Odessa lacks one small thing, you see:

A variety theatre!

Дамы, господа, - других не вижу здесь,

Блеск, изыск и общество прелестны!

Сотвори, господь, хоть пятьдесят Одесс, -

Все равно в Одессе будет тесно.

Говорят, что здесь бывала

Королева из Непала

И какой-то крупный лорд из Эдинбурга,

И отсюда много ближе

До Берлина и Парижа,

Чем из даже самого Санкт-Петербурга.

Вот приехал в город меценат и крез,

Весь в деньгах, с задатками повесы.

Если был он с гонором, так будет - без,

Шаг ступив по улицам Одессы.

Из подробностей пикантных -

Две: мужчин столь элегантных

В целом свете вряд ли встретить бы смогли вы;

Ну, а женщины Одессы -

Все скромны, все поэтессы,

Все умны, а в крайнем случае, красивы.

Грузчики в порту, которым равных нет,

Отдыхают с баснями Крылова.

Если вы чуть-чуть художник и поэт,

Вас поймут в Одессе с полуслова.

Нет прохода здесь, клянусь вам,

От любителей искусства,

И об этом много раз писали в прессе.

Если в Англии и в Штатах

Недостаток в меценатах,

Пусть приедут позаимствуют в Одессе.

Дамы, господа, я восхищен и смят.

Мадам, месье, я счастлив, что таиться!

Леди, джентельмены, я готов стократ

Умереть и снова здесь родиться.

Все в Одессе: море, песни,

Порт, бульвар и много лестниц,

Крабы, устрицы, акации, maisons chantees{мезон шанте}.

Да, наш город процветает,

Но в Одессе не хватает

Самой малости - театра варьете!

This poem by Vladimir Vysotsky, "Couplets of a Bengali Author", is a humorous and loving ode to Odessa, a city with a unique color, humor, and charm.

Main themes of the text:

The uniqueness and appeal of Odessa: Vysotsky ironically describes Odessa as the center of the universe, attracting people of all nationalities and classes, from the Queen of Nepal to a Scottish lord. Even the city's geographical location is presented humorously: it is supposedly closer to European capitals from here than from St. Petersburg.

The Odessa character: The author praises the hospitality, ease of communication, and lack of snobbery that are characteristic of Odessa residents. Even a rich patron, once in Odessa, loses his arrogance. The men here are gallant, and the women are intelligent, modest, and beautiful.

Culture and art: Odessa is presented as a city where love for art reigns. Dockworkers quote Krylov, and artists and poets are understood at a glance. Vysotsky ironically remarks that there are so many patrons of the arts in Odessa that they could share them with England and the USA.

Love for his hometown: Under the guise of a "Bengali author" hides Vysotsky himself, expressing his love and admiration for Odessa. He is ready to "die a hundred times and be reborn here again."

A touch of irony: In the finale, the author notes that Odessa has everything except a variety theatre. This touch adds a humorous note and emphasizes that even the ideal city has minor flaws.