The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Tough guy" (Jivuchiy paren) the performer of the song "Vladimir Vysotsky"

Barry, the tenacious one, survives,

Never leaving his saddle's side.

Up to his neck in debts he thrives,

But ask him how he's doing, wide-eyed,

He'll stroke his gun with a careless air,

Through gritted teeth, he'll nonchalantly say:

"While laws are absent, beyond compare,

Hope lies with me, come what may!"

He's tough as nails, weathered and worn,

Yet his mind remains sharp and bright.

For he's Barry, resiliently born,

A sip of water brings him back to light!

When trouble's on his trail so near,

He pats his horse's mane with gentle grace:

"A chase, my friend, no laws to fear,

Hope rests solely in your pace!"

Your house ablaze, consumed by fire's wrath,

Vainly you cry to heavens above:

What use is God? Call upon Barry's path,

Who settles scores with his own brand of love!

He emerges from hardships, dry and sound,

Though his clothes may not always be so,

While laws hold no sway on this ground,

On him alone does everyone's hope bestow!

Quick to confront foes with his hand,

Yet to a friend, a talisman so true,

That's Barry, tenacious and grand,

A soul overflowing, pockets empty, it's true!

He'll find the answer, never deterred,

Should ignorance ignite a fiery strife,

While laws remain unheard,

Hope lies only in oneself, in this life.

Живет живучий парень Барри

Не вылезая из седла

По горло он богат долгами

Но если спросишь, как дела,

Поглаживая пистолет

Сквозь зубы процедит небрежно:

"Пока еще законов нет

То только на него надежда!"

Он кручен-верчен, бит о камни

Но все в порядке с головой

Ведь он - живучий парень Барри:

Глоток воды - и вновь живой!

Он, если нападут на след

Коня по гриве треплет нежно:

"Погоня, брат. Законов нет

И только на тебя надежда!"

Ваш дом горит - черно от гари

И тщетны вопли к небесам:

При чем тут Бог - зовите Барри

Который счеты сводит сам!

Сухим выходит он из бед

Хоть не всегда суха одежда

Пока в законах проку нет

У всех лишь на него надежда!

Да, на руку он скор с врагами

А другу - словно талисман

Таков живучий парень Барри

Полна душа и пуст карман!

Он вовремя найдет ответ

Коль свару заведет невежда,

Пока в стране законов нет

То только на себя надежда

The song "Living Guy" by Vladimir Vysotsky presents Barry, a typical character from an American Western. He's a dashing cowboy living by his own rules in a world where the law hasn't yet established its authority.

Barry "lives without getting out of the saddle," constantly on the move, chasing fortune, eternally in debt, but never discouraged. His motto is: "As long as there are no laws, there's only hope in it [the gun]!" He relies solely on himself, his strength, agility, and weapon.

Barry's image is far from ideal. He's "twisted and turned, beaten by stones," life tests and challenges him, but as a true Western hero, he's incredibly resilient: "a sip of water – and alive again!"

In a world where lawlessness reigns, Barry becomes the last hope for the desperate. When "the house is burning – black from the fire," people cry out not to God, but to Barry, who "settles scores himself." He conducts his own court, quickly and mercilessly dealing with offenders.

Vysotsky emphasizes the contrast between the hero's outward bravado and inner emptiness. Barry emerges "dry from troubles," but "his clothes aren't always dry." He's generous with friends but ruthless with enemies. His soul is full, but his pockets are empty.

The song's ending sounds like bitter irony. As long as lawlessness reigns in the country, "there's only hope in oneself." It's every man for himself in this cruel world, where there's no place for the weak.