The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Smart people stay at home..." (Umnyie lyudi sidyat po domam…) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

Smart people sit at home,

Smart people watch TV,

We ran across the muddy fields,

Kicking the ball, high and low it would flee.

A rough defender headbutted me hard,

Charged into the penalty box with his might,

Prikhodsky wouldn't try it himself, you see,

He'd only give advice, day and night.

The ball, look, it's not flying, not flying at all,

I should try and head it, that's the call.

Oh, you defender, my dear defender,

I'll give you a massage, make your leg slender,

I'll headbutt you back with my beard so strong,

They'll carry you off the field, where you don't belong.

Rough people sit at home,

Rough people watch TV,

We run across the muddy fields,

Kicking the ball, high and low it would flee.

Умные люди сидят по домам,

Умные люди глядят в телевизор,

Бегали мы по размытым полям,

Шарик катали то верхом то низом.

Грубый защитник толкнул головой,

Въехал на чем-то в штрафную площадку,

Это Приходский не пробовал сам,

Только советы давал для порядку.

Шарик, глядишь, не летит, не летит,

Надо б его мне сыграть головою.

Ох ты защитник, защитничек мой,

Я уж тебе отмассирую(?) ножку,

Я тебя вдарю родной бородой(???)

Так что тебя понесут по дорожке...

Грубые люди сидят по домам,

Грубые люди глядят в телевизор,

Бегаем мы по размытым полям,

Шарик катаем то верхом, то низом.

Vladimir Vysotsky's song "Smart people stay at home…" carries a profound social subtext expressed through the prism of a backyard football game. The author contrasts two worlds: the world of the "smart" and the world of the "rough", each represented by their attitude towards the game.

The "smart people" are passive, detached from the action, preferring to observe life from the sidelines, "watching television". They do not take risks, do not get dirty, do not experience the thrill of the struggle. Their lot is to give advice not backed by real experience. The image of "Prikhodsky," who "did not try himself", embodies this category of people.

The opposite camp is the "rough people", active participants in the game, ready to take risks, to fight for victory, despite the dirt and injuries. They live in the present moment, indulging in passion and excitement. The lyrical hero, participating in the match, identifies himself with the "rough", emphasizing his belonging to the world of action, not empty reflections.

The ball rolling across the "muddy fields" becomes a metaphor for life itself, full of unpredictability and obstacles. The way of interacting with it – "rolling it high and low" – reflects the ability to adapt to circumstances and overcome difficulties.

The final lines of the song, where the "rough people" take the place of the "smart", create the effect of an unexpected denouement. Perhaps this is a hint that real life does not happen on the TV screen, but on the "muddy fields" of reality, where it is not smart advice that matters, but courage, determination, and a willingness to act.