The meaning of the lyrics of the song "I carried my burden." (Ya nesla svoyu bedu) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

I carried my Trouble

Over the spring ice

The ice broke – my soul shattered

I sank like a stone under the water

And Trouble, though heavy,

Held on to the sharp edges

Held on to the sharp edges

And Trouble, since that day,

Searches for me around the world

Rumors say – along with Crooked Talk

But that I didn't die

The bare branch knew

And also – the larks sang it to each other

And also – the larks sang it to each other

Which one of them told him,

My master,

Only – they gave me away, they blabbed

And, beside himself with passion,

He set off after me

Well, with him – Trouble and Rumor tagged along

Well, with him – Trouble and Rumor tagged along

He caught up with me, overtook me,

Embraced me, lifted me in his arms

Beside him in the saddle, Trouble smirked

But he couldn't stay

He had only one day

And Trouble – lingered for eternity

And Trouble – lingered for eternity

Я несла свою Беду

По весеннему по льду

Обломился лед – душа оборвалася

Камнем под воду пошла

А Беда – хоть тяжела

А за острые края задержалася

А за острые края задержалася

И Беда с того вот дня

Ищет по свету меня

Слухи ходят – вместе с ней Кривотолками

А что я не умерла

Знала голая ветла

И еще – перепела с перепелками

И еще – перепела с перепелками

Кто ж из них сказал ему

Господину моему

Только – выдали меня, проболталися

И, от страсти сам не свой

Он отправился за мной

Ну а с ним – Беда с Молвой увязалися

Ну а с ним – Беда с Молвой увязалися

Он настиг меня, догнал

Обнял, на руки поднял

Рядом с ним в седле Беда ухмылялася

Но остаться он не мог

Был всего один денек

А Беда – на вечный срок задержалася

А Беда – на вечный срок задержалася

Vladimir Vysotsky's song "I Carried My Trouble" unfolds as an allegorical tale of a person's encounter with life's adversities, the struggle with fate, and the futility of hoping for deliverance from pain.

The lyrical heroine, personifying the human soul, carries her "Trouble" – a symbol of life's trials, losses, and grief. The spring ice she walks on symbolizes the fragility of hope and the illusion of well-being. Falling through the ice represents a collapse of hopes, a breakdown, a deep shock experienced by the heroine.

It is interesting that Trouble, although "heavy," does not sink with the heroine but clings to the "sharp edges." This suggests that suffering and losses do not always disappear without a trace. They can remain with a person, haunting them, not allowing them to move on.

The motif of persecution is emphasized in the following stanzas. Trouble "searches" for the heroine, who miraculously survived ("And that I did not die / The bare willow knew / And also – the quails sang with the corncrakes"). The image of the "bare willow" is a symbol of fragility, vulnerability, but at the same time – resilience and hope for rebirth. "The quails sang with the corncrakes" hints that the heroine found the strength to live on, to adapt to new, difficult conditions.

However, peace turns out to be short-lived. A new character appears – the "Master," who probably symbolizes a loved one, a close person. Unfortunately, "Gossip" – a symbol of lies, slander, defamation – interferes in the relationship. As a result, the "Master," believing the rumors, rejects the heroine.

Despite the pain and despair, the heroine does not lose hope. She runs, hides from "Trouble" and "Gossip." The "Master," driven by love and remorse, sets off in pursuit.

The culmination is the meeting of the characters. Unfortunately, it does not bring the long-awaited liberation. "Trouble" proves stronger than love and continues to haunt the heroine. The ending of the song sounds tragic and hopeless. "Trouble" remains with the heroine "forever," condemning her to eternal suffering and loneliness.