The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Penal battalions" (Schtrafnyie batalonyi) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

Only an hour for the shelling.

Only an hour for the infantry to breathe.

Only an hour until the most important deeds:

Some for a medal, some for the "watchtower".

In this hour, we don't write a single line.

We pray to the gods of war – the artillerymen!

After all, we're not just anybody, we are the punished ones.

We don't write: "Consider me a communist".

Vodka before the attack? What nonsense!

We had our fill back in civilian life.

That's why we don't shout "hurrah!",

With death, we play a silent game.

The punished have one law, one end -

Go on and slash the fascist vagabond!

And if the lead doesn't find your chest,

You'll get a medal for bravery on it.

Stab him with your bayonet, or better yet, with your hand –

It's more reliable, and quieter too.

And if you stay alive,

Go ahead, you rascal, spend a ruble or more!

The enemy thinks we are morally weak.

He's burned down forests and cities behind him.

Better chop down the forest for coffins –

The penal battalions are going on the offensive!

It's six o'clock sharp, and now – the shelling.

Oh, god of war! Give it to them – without respite!

Only an hour until the most important deeds:

Some for a medal, but most for the "watchtower".

Всего лишь час дают на артобстрел.

Всего лишь час пехоте передышки.

Всего лишь час до самых главных дел:

Кому - до ордена, ну, а кому - до "вышки".

За этот час не пишем ни строки.

Молись богам войны - артиллеристам!

Ведь мы ж не просто так, мы - штрафники.

Нам не писать: "Считайте коммунистом".

Перед атакой - водку? Вот мура!

Свое отпили мы еще в гражданку.

Поэтому мы не кричим "ура!",

Со смертью мы играемся в молчанку.

У штрафников один закон, один конец -

Коли-руби фашистского бродягу!

И если не поймаешь в грудь свинец,

Медаль на грудь поймаешь "За отвагу".

Ты бей штыком, а лучше бей рукой -

Оно надежней, да оно и тише.

И ежели останешься живой,

Гуляй, рванина, от рубля и выше!

Считает враг - морально мы слабы.

За ним и лес, и города сожжены.

Вы лучше лес рубите на гробы -

В прорыв идут штрафные батальоны!

Вот шесть ноль-ноль, и вот сейчас - обстрел.

Ну, бог войны! Давай - без передышки!

Всего лишь час до самых главных дел:

Кому - до ордена, а большинству - до "вышки".

Vladimir Vysotsky's song "Penal Battalions" tells a tragic story of soldiers fighting in penal military units during World War II. These units were formed from disgraced soldiers and officers who were given one last chance to "redeem their guilt with blood".

From the very first lines, the author immerses us in the atmosphere of hopelessness and doom: "Just one hour given for the barrage. Just one hour for the infantry to catch their breath". This hour is a brief moment of respite before the storm, before the decisive battle, where "some - for a medal, and some - for the 'tower'". "Tower" is a euphemism for execution, the punishment awaiting the penalized soldiers in case of retreat or disobedience.

Further, Vysotsky draws a contrast between the penalized soldiers and ordinary soldiers. The condemned are not supposed to write farewell letters: "We don't write a line in this hour. We don't write: 'Consider me a communist'". They already write themselves off, consider themselves dead men with nothing to lose but their own lives.

The absence of illusions and hope for a bright future leads to the penalized soldiers treating death cynically, playing "a silent game" with it. The only way for them to survive is to be fearless and furious in battle: "The penalized have one law, one end - Keep stabbing the fascist vagabond!". The reward for bravery can be not only a "Medal on the chest" but also life itself: "And if you stay alive, you rascal, you're free to roam, with a ruble or more in your pocket!"

The enemy, according to Vysotsky, underestimates the power of despair: "The enemy thinks - our morale is weak". But it is this very hopelessness, turning the penalized soldiers into ruthless fighters, that becomes their main weapon: "You'd better chop the forest down for coffins - Penal battalions are going on the offensive!"

The final lines bring the listener back to the beginning of the song, closing the circle: "Just one hour until the most important things: For some - a medal, but for most - the 'tower'". This cyclicality emphasizes the tragedy of the situation, where every battle can be the last, and the only chance of salvation remains a miracle.

In the song "Penal Battalions," Vladimir Vysotsky does not romanticize war. He shows its cruel underbelly, where people are turned into expendable resources, and the right to life is earned at the cost of incredible risk and courage.