The meaning of the lyrics of the song "To long-distance sailors" (Moryakam dalnego plavaniya) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

Twenty thousand horses are jammed in the machines,

And the herds wheeze below, in a frenzy.

Before our eyes, the ropes grow thin from the strain,

Squeezing out tears onto the pier.

Short, angry commands

Are carried away by the fast wind into the darkness:

"Fenders overboard!", "Cast off the bowlines!"

And - "Tugboat, assist astern!"

The captain, smiling slightly,

Says everything is correct, good job,

While breaking free from the land,

He ordered to cut the ropes.

But the gazes turn back again,

The land holds on tightly, everything is both right and wrong:

Why are the barrels not converging for so long?

Why is the lighthouse blinking so often?!

Everything is in order, end of all questions.

Everyone except the watch - go rest!

But the cabins are empty - the sailors

Are still getting used to this freedom.

The captain, smiling slightly,

Only said: "Good job!"

Breaking free from the land,

It's not easy to cut the ropes.

The passage - twenty days - the lifeboats are drying up,

This morning the last albatross fell behind...

If only - a storm! Or even better - if in the radio room

The stunned radio operator received someone's SOS.

And so it happened: three men, a month in a trough,

Their yacht smashed to pieces by a whale...

But why are you thanking us?

Thank you for this emergency!

The captain, smiling slightly,

Only said: "Good job!"

To those who, parting with life,

Did not want to cut the ropes.

And again there will be Fiji, and the port of Curacao,

And another dash on the map, and God knows what else,

And the most beautiful fjord in the world, Milford Sound,

Everywhere I haven't set foot, but anyway...

You will moor in Tahiti,

And play my recording,

Through the biggest amplifier,

I will sing about you in Tahiti.

The master will say, smiling,

To me and the song: "Good job!"

So, remaining on land,

I fasten the ropes everywhere.

And again, as if in a boxing ring,

The cautious shadow of the ship moves across the water.

The sailors are tense, the spring lines are slack...

Rudder half a point to the left - and the land is in the past!

Лошадей двадцать тысяч в машины зажаты

И хрипят табуны, стервенея, внизу

На глазах от натуги худеют канаты

Из себя на причал выжимая слезу

И команды короткие, злые

Быстрый ветер уносит во тьму:

"Кранцы за борт!", "Отдать носовые!"

И - "Буксир, подработать корму!"

Капитан, чуть улыбаясь,

Всё, мол, верно - молодцы,

От земли освобождаясь

Приказал рубить концы

Только снова назад обращаются взоры

Цепко держит земля, всё и так и не так:

Почему слишком долго не сходятся створы

Почему слишком часто моргает маяк?!

Всё в порядке, конец всем вопросам

Кроме вахтенных, все - отдыхать!

Но пустуют каюты - матросам

К той свободе еще привыкать

Капитан, чуть улыбаясь

Бросил только: "Молодцы!"

От земли освобождаясь

Нелегко рубить концы

Переход - двадцать дней, - рассыхаются шлюпки

Нынче утром последний отстал альбатрос...

Хоть бы - шторм! Или лучше - чтоб в радиорубке

Обалдевший радист принял чей-нибудь SOS

Так и есть: трое - месяц в корыте

Яхту вдребезги кит разобрал...

Да за что вы нас благодарите

Вам спасибо за этот аврал!

Капитан, чуть улыбаясь

Бросил только: "Молодцы!"

Тем, кто, с жизнью расставаясь

Не хотел рубить концы

И опять будут Фиджи, и порт Кюрасао

И еще черта в ступе и бог знает что

И красивейший в мире фиорд Мильфорсаун

Всё, куда я ногой не ступал, но зато

Пришвартуетесь вы на Таити

И прокрутите запись мою,

Через самый большой усилитель

Я про вас на Таити спою

Скажет мастер, улыбаясь

Мне и песне: "Молодцы!"

Так, на суше оставаясь

Я везде креплю концы

И опять продвигается, словно на ринге

По воде осторожная тень корабля

В напряженье матросы, ослаблены шпринги...

Руль полборта налево - и в прошлом земля!

Vladimir Vysotsky's song "To Sailors of the Long Voyage" unveils the complex world of those who have dedicated their lives to the sea. The author uses vivid metaphors to convey not only the romance of seafaring but also the hard work and internal struggle of sailors.

The very first lines paint a picture of departure: the power of the ship, the "horsepower" "squeezed" into it, the tension of the ropes, as if squeezing out tears. The captain's commands are short, authoritative, emphasizing order and discipline on board. The image of "cutting the ends" is a metaphor for parting with the land, with familiar life, with loved ones.

The sailors miss home, their eyes "turn back," they are tormented by uncertainty and anxiety. They are not yet accustomed to the "freedom" that the sea gives them. The captain, experienced and laconic, maintains the morale of the team, his "Well done!" sounds like an order not to lose heart.

Further sailing is full of dangers and trials. The storm is perceived as a blessing, capable of somehow diluting the monotony and melancholy. An encounter with those in distress is a reminder of the fragility of life at sea. And again the captain's "Well done!" is heard - a recognition of the courage and professionalism of his team.

The finale of the song is the bright sadness of farewell. The lyrical hero, perhaps the author himself, remains on the shore, entrusting his song to the sailors. It is as if he connects two worlds - the sea and the earth, two sides of the same life.

"To Sailors of the Long Voyage" is a hymn to courage, fortitude and loyalty to one's calling, even if it is associated with constant separation and danger.