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The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Brodsky's Song" (Pesnya Brodskogo) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

- Oh, Vanya, look, what clowns!

Their mouths - they should be sewn shut...

Oh, Vanya, look how they're made up,

And their voices - like drunkards!

And that one looks like - isn't it true, Vanya? -

Like your brother-in-law - the same drunkard.

No, look, look, look, -

I'm serious, Vanya!

- Listen, Zina, leave my brother-in-law alone:

Whatever he is, he's family, -

You're all dolled up yourself, smelling of cigarettes -

Just you wait, you'll get it from me!

And instead of chattering - you should have, Zina,

During the intermission, run to the store...

What, you won't go? Fine, I'll go alone, -

Move over, Zina!

- Oh, Vanya, look, what dwarfs!

Dressed in jerseys, not suits, -

At our fifth sewing factory

Hardly anyone would sew such a thing.

And you, by God, Vanya,

All your friends - such a ragged bunch

And they always drink at such an early hour

Such muck!

- My friends - even if they're not in fancy clothes,

At least they don't steal from their families, -

And they drink muck - to save money:

Even if it's in the morning - they spend their own!

And you yourself, Zina,

Had a boyfriend from the tire factory,

So he - he generally drank gasoline, -

Remember, Zina?

- Oh, Vanya, look - parakeets!

No, by God, I'll scream!.

And who is that in the short shirt?

Vanya, I want one just like it.

At the end of the quarter - really, Vanya, -

You'll get me one just like it...

What do you mean "leave me alone", again "leave me alone",

It's hurtful, Vanya!

- You, Zina, should have kept quiet -

My bonus for the quarter is gone!

Who wrote complaints about me to work?

Not you?! But I read them!

Besides, this shirt, Zina,

If you put it on - it would be a disgrace.

You need yards of fabric for your size -

Where's the money, Zina?

- Oh, Vanya, I'll die from these acrobatics!

Look how he spins, the scoundrel!

Our workshop head - comrade Satikov -

Was recently jumping around like that in the club.

And you come home, Ivan,

You eat and immediately - on the sofa,

Or, there you go shouting, when you're not drunk.

What's wrong with you, Ivan?

- You, Zina, are always looking for insults,

Always trying to offend me!

You get so spun around during the day...

You come home - that's where you stay!

Well, and me, of course, Zina,

You're always dragging me to the store, -

And there - my friends... Because I, Zina,

Don't drink alone!

- Ой, Вань, гляди, какие клоуны!

Рот - хоть завязочки пришей...

Ой, до чего, Вань, размалеваны,

И голос - как у алкашей!

А тот похож - нет, правда, Вань, -

На шурина - такая ж пьянь.

Ну нет, ты глянь, нет-нет, ты глянь, -

Я - вправду, Вань!

- Послушай, Зин, не трогай шурина:

Какой ни есть, а он - родня, -

Сама намазана, прокурена -

Гляди, дождешься у меня!

А чем болтать - взяла бы, Зин,

В антракт сгоняла в магазин...

Что, не пойдешь? Ну, я - один, -

Подвинься, Зин!.

- Ой, Вань, гляди, какие карлики!

В джерси одеты, не в шевьет, -

На нашей пятой швейной фабрике

Такое вряд ли кто пошьет.

А у тебя, ей-богу, Вань,

Ну все друзья - такая рвань

И пьют всегда в такую рань

Такую дрянь!

- Мои друзья - хоть не в болонии,

Зато не тащат из семьи, -

А гадость пьют - из экономии:

Хоть поутру - да на свои!

А у тебя самой-то, Зин,

Приятель был с завода шин,

Так тот - вообще хлебал бензин, -

Ты вспомни, Зин!.

- Ой, Вань, гляди-кось - попугайчики!

Нет, я, ей-богу, закричу!.

А это кто в короткой маечке?

Я, Вань, такую же хочу.

В конце квартала - правда, Вань, -

Ты мне такую же сваргань...

Ну что "отстань", опять "отстань",

Обидно, Вань!

- Уж ты б, Зин, лучше помолчала бы -

Накрылась премия в квартал!

Кто мне писал на службу жалобы?

Не ты?! Да я же их читал!

К тому же эту майку, Зин,

Тебе напяль - позор один.

Тебе шитья пойдет аршин -

Где деньги, Зин?.

- Ой, Вань, умру от акробатиков!

Гляди, как вертится, нахал!

Завцеха наш - товарищ Сатиков -

Недавно в клубе так скакал.

А ты придешь домой, Иван,

Поешь и сразу - на диван,

Иль, вон, кричишь, когда не пьян.

Ты что, Иван?

- Ты, Зин, на грубость нарываешься,

Все, Зин, обидеть норовишь!

Тут за день так накувыркаешься...

Придешь домой - там ты сидишь!

Ну, и меня, конечно, Зин,

Все время тянет в магазин, -

А там - друзья... Ведь я же, Зин,

Не пью один!

Vladimir Vysotsky's "Brodsky's Song" satirizes the hypocrisy and philistinism of Soviet society. The song centers around a married couple, Ivan and Zinaida, attending a performance. However, instead of appreciating the artistry, they nitpick the performers, comparing them to acquaintances and finding flaws.

Vysotsky utilizes a "turning the tables" technique where criticism of the artists turns into self-exposure. Zinaida, who criticizes the clowns for their bright makeup and "voices like drunkards," is herself "dolled up and smoky" and eager to "run to the store" for a drink during intermission. Ivan, who condemns the "riffraff" in their "cheap clothes," himself turns out to be fond of drinking "with friends" at someone else's expense.

Paradoxically, the more Zinaida and Ivan criticize the artists, the more they resemble the objects of their criticism. Their words reveal envy of the artists' freedom of expression, their vibrant, albeit not always prosperous lives. In the final lines, Ivan utters the key phrase: "And there are friends... After all, Zin, I don't drink alone!", which exposes his fear of loneliness and desire to hide behind "friends" and "comrades," justifying his own failures.

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