The meaning of the lyrics of the song "The Song of the Beginning of War" (Pesnya o nachale voynyi) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

They knock tables together from planks in the courtyard,

While they're not yet set – they clatter dominoes.

Days in May are longer than nights in December,

But time stretches on – and everything is decided.

Pre-war lamps are already burning dimly –

And from the windows Moscow looked down upon the captives...

And somewhere a soldier was still being prodded by shrapnel in his heart,

And somewhere scouts needed to capture a "tongue."

They are already renewing banners. And forming columns.

And the cobblestones in the square are as clean as parquet on the floor.

And still, echelon after echelon heads West.

And in the rear, women grieve over funerals.

They haven't drunk their fill of viburnum water,

Haven't bought wedding rings in advance –

Everything was washed away by the flood of national disaster,

Which is finally coming to an end.

They have peeled the crosses made of paper strips from the windows.

And the curtains – down with them! The blackout is no longer needed.

And somewhere they're handing out alcohol from a flask before the battle,

It drives out everything – the cold, the fear, and the plague.

They are already cleaning the soot from candles off the icons.

And both soul and lips – offer prayers and poetry.

But with red crosses, echelon after echelon keeps moving,

Although the losses according to reports are not so great.

Gardens are already blooming everywhere.

And the earth has warmed up, and the water in the ditches.

And soon the reward for military labor –

A pillow of fresh grass under their heads.

Barrage balloons no longer hover over the city.

Sirens have fallen silent, preparing to trumpet victory.

And company commanders will still manage to become battalion commanders,

Who for now can still easily be killed.

The sounds of captured accordions can already be heard,

And oaths to live in harmony, love,

Without debts,

And still, echelon after echelon heads West,

And it seemed to us that there were no enemies left at all.

Сбивают из досок столы во дворе,

Пока не накрыли - стучат в домино.

Дни в мае длиннее ночей в декабре,

Но тянется время - и все решено.

Вот уже довоенные лампы горят вполнакала -

И из окон на пленных глазела Москва свысока...

А где-то солдат еще в сердце осколком толкало,

А где-то разведчикам надо добыть "языка".

Вот уже обновляют знамена. И строят в колонны.

И булыжник на площади чист, как паркет на полу.

А все же на Запад идут и идут эшелоны.

И над похоронкой заходятся бабы в тылу.

Не выпито всласть родниковой воды,

Не куплено впрок обручальных колец -

Все смыло потоком народной беды,

Которой приходит конец наконец.

Вот со стекол содрали кресты из полосок бумаги.

Вот и шторы - долой! Затемненье уже ни к чему.

А где-нибудь спирт раздают перед боем из фляги,

Он все выгоняет - и холод, и страх, и чуму.

Вот от копоти свечек уже очищают иконы.

И душа и уста - и молитву творят, и стихи.

Но с красным крестом все идут и идут эшелоны,

Хотя и потери по сводкам не так велики.

Уже зацветают повсюду сады.

И землю прогрело, и воду во рвах.

И скоро награда за ратны труды -

Подушка из свежей травы в головах.

Уже не маячат над городом аэростаты.

Замолкли сирены, готовясь победу трубить.

А ротные все-таки выйти успеют в комбаты,

Которых пока еще запросто могут убить.

Вот уже зазвучали трофейные аккордеоны,

Вот и клятвы слышны жить в согласье, любви,

Без долгов,

А все же на Запад идут и идут эшелоны,

А нам показалось, совсем не осталось врагов.

In his "Song about the Beginning of the War," Vladimir Vysotsky conveys the atmosphere of the first days of the Great Patriotic War with bitterness and poignancy.

The text is full of contrasts. Peaceful life, not yet aware of the full severity of what is happening ("knocking tables together from boards," "playing dominoes," "days are longer than nights"), is abruptly cut short by the news of the war.

Vysotsky uses simple but vivid imagery to show how war invades every home, every family. "Lamps are burning dimly," "banners are being renewed," "women in the rear are wailing over funeral announcements" – these details create a sense of anxiety, uncertainty, and fear.

The recurring lines "And still, echelons are moving West" play a special role. This motif, appearing throughout the song, emphasizes the relentlessness of war, its merciless rhythm.

Vysotsky shows that war is not only battles but also hard work in the rear, farewells to loved ones, and the bitterness of loss. But even in this atmosphere of hopelessness, there is hope for victory. People believe that "soon there will be a reward for military labor," that "sirens have fallen silent, preparing to trumpet victory."

"Song about the Beginning of the War" is a warning, a reminder of the cost of victory and that peace is a fragile value that must be cherished.