The meaning of the lyrics of the song "The Student Archaeologists' Song" (Pesnya studentov-arheologov) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

Our Fedya, since childhood, felt earth's embrace,

Hauling home granite, rubble, and such grace.

One day he brought back something so profound,

That Mom and Dad wept tears that knew no bound.

As a student, Fedya, with heart aflame,

Vowed to raise archaeology to fame.

He'd drag such things into the institute's halls,

That we'd all weep, our tears a waterfall.

He brought back once, from fieldwork's dusty trail,

Two rusty artifacts, a sorry tale.

"An ancient treasure!" he'd declare with pride,

While we just stared, our laughter we did hide.

Then in Elis, one fateful day he found,

False teeth so big, they'd shake the very ground.

As big as a moonshine still, they met his gaze,

Another "treasure" from those bygone days.

His thesis spoke of shrines, ancient and grand,

Of Scythians, pagan gods, a mystic band.

He'd curse in Latin, fierce and full of ire,

Those Scythians in their graves, consumed by fire.

Ancient structures, his obsession's core,

He'd search with fervor, seeking evermore.

With a wild voice, he'd often loudly claim,

"There's still a path, untouched by time and fame!"

"Where Pithecanthropus roams, untouched by strife!"

And with a thump, he'd pound upon his chest, full of life.

He vowed to end his bachelorhood's long reign,

And build a family, to ease life's pain.

"I'll find a wife," he'd say with fire in his eyes,

"You'll weep with envy, your hearts filled with cries!"

He scoured the earth, from Europe to the East,

His search for the perfect bride, a never-ending feast.

At last, he unearthed his ideal, a prize so rare,

But alas, she couldn't tell a shard from a snare.

Of archaeology, she knew not a thing,

So Fedya buried her back, let the wedding bells not ring.

Наш Федя с детства связан был с землею -

Домой таскал и щебень и гранит...

Однажды он домой принес такое,

Что мама с папой плакали навзрыд.

Студентом Федя очень был настроен

Поднять археологию на щит -

Он в институт притаскивал такое,

Что мы кругом все плакали навзрыд.

Привез он как-то с практики

Два ржавый экспонатика

И утверждал, что это - древний клад.

Потом однажды в Элисте

Нашел вставные челюсти

Размером с самогонный аппарат.

Диплом писал про древние святыни,

О скифах, о языческих богах.

При этом так ругался по-латыни,

Что скифы эти корчились в гробах.

Он древние строения

Искал с остервенением

И часто диким голосом кричал,

Что есть еще пока тропа,

Где встретишь питекантропа,

И в грудь себя при этом ударял.

Он жизнь решил закончить холостую

И стал бороться за семейный быт.

"Я, - говорил, - жену найду такую -

От зависти заплачете навзрыд!"

Он все углы облазил - и

В Европе был, и в Азии, -

И вскоре раскопал свой идеал.

Но идеал связать не мог

В археологии двух строк, -

И Федя его снова закопал.

Vladimir Vysotsky's humorous "Song of the Archaeology Students" pokes fun at the main character, Fedya, whose passion for archaeology borders on fanaticism and absurdity.

From childhood, Fedya shows an interest in earth and stones, but his "finds" bring more tears than joy. As an archaeology student, he continues his "exploits", bringing items of questionable historical value to the institute, much to everyone's shock.

The author ironically describes Fedya's "discoveries": rusty exhibits, giant jaws, all passed off as ancient artifacts. Even Fedya's thesis, dedicated to the Scythians and pagan gods, is written with such expression and use of Latin that it creates a comical effect.

Fedya is a grotesque, exaggerated image of a fanatical archaeologist who blindly believes in his discoveries and remains oblivious to their absurdity. He is obsessed with the search for ancient civilizations, ready to follow any path just to find a Pithecanthropus.

Even in his personal life, Fedya remains true to his passion. He seeks a wife who will share his enthusiasm for archaeology. He "unearths" his ideal woman, but unfortunately, she turns out to be incapable of distinguishing an archaeological artifact from an ordinary stone. In the end, Fedya "buries" his ideal, never finding understanding.

Vysotsky's song is not only a satire on excessive enthusiasm, but also a reflection on the importance of maintaining common sense and a sense of humor in any situation.