The meaning of the lyrics of the song "The closest direct translation of "Sivko-Burko" would be "Grey-Brownie," but that doesn't carry the cultural context. It's better to leave it as a proper noun:Sivko-Burko" (Sivka-Burka) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

The detectives from MUR drove Sivka away,

They exiled Sivka to Naryan-Mar, -

It means they didn't pat Sivka's mane,

It means they paid him the full "fee".

It's evening in the yard, -

Sivka and Burka are smoking weed.

The nights are six months long beyond the Arctic Circle,

And, of course, Sivka - the horse - got bored, -

Sivka got Burka - a bosom friend,

With him he while away the long nights.

It's evening in the yard, -

Sivka and Burka are smoking weed.

Sivka went to work - sweating blood,

He worked like a horse for both of them.

And then Burka got someone -

Someone took Sivka's place at the table.

It's evening in the yard, -

Burka is smoking weed with someone.

Horses, as you know, are all like humans:

Sivka thought long and hard and decided, -

And one day Burka and "someone" suddenly disappeared forever -

And Sivka limped into hard labor.

It's evening in the yard, -

Sivka is burning in hard labor.

Сивка - Бурка

Кучера из МУРа укатали Сивку,

Закатали Сивку в Нарьян-Мар, -

Значит, не погладили Сивку по загривку,

Значит, дали полностью "гонорар".

На дворе вечерит, -

Сивка с Буркой чифирит.

Ночи по полгода за полярным кругом,

И, конечно, Сивка - лошадь - заскучал, -

Обзавелся Сивка Буркой - закадычным другом,

С ним он ночи длинные коротал.

На дворе вечерит, -

Сивка с Буркой чифирит.

Сивка - на работу, - до седьмого поту,

За обоих вкалывал - конь конем.

И тогда у Бурки появился кто-то -

Занял место Сивкино за столом.

На дворе вечерит, -

Бурка с кем-то чифирит.

Лошади, известно, - все как человеки:

Сивка долго думал, думал и решал, -

И однажды Бурка с "кем-то" вдруг исчез навеки -

Ну, а Сивка в каторгу захромал.

На дворе вечерит, -

Сивка в каторге горит..

Vladimir Vysotsky's song "Sivko-Burko" uses the guise of fairy tale characters to present an allegory of human destinies, friendship, and betrayal under a repressive regime.

Sivko-Burko, who embodies strength, diligence, and simplicity, ends up in Naryan-Mar – a symbol of exile and labor camps. The phrase "they didn't pat him on the mane" hints at the absence of justice and mercy. "Fee" in quotation marks is a bitter irony, signifying punishment rather than reward.

In the long polar night, Sivko finds solace in friendship with Burko. Here, "Burko" can be interpreted as another prisoner, a companion in misfortune, with whom Sivko shares the hardships of camp life. "Chifiryat" – they spend time together, perhaps talking, singing, remembering their life in freedom.

However, the idyll of friendship collapses. Burko finds "someone" – a more advantageous connection, perhaps someone collaborating with the authorities. Sivko, betrayed and alone, finds himself in even harsher conditions – "he limped into hard labor." The final phrase "Sivko burns in hard labor" is an image of suffering, hopelessness, and emotional pain.

Thus, Vysotsky's song, using fairy tale imagery, speaks about complex human relationships under a totalitarian regime, about the price of friendship, betrayal, and the resilience of the human spirit.