Poems and Songs of Vladimir Vysotsky. The Demon Drink.

For lots of lucky years...Adapted from Alec Vagapov’s
translation by Akbar Muhammad.

For lots of lucky years

None of things has shifted:

I haven’t been ’mongst the rich,

Deals with girls are similar.

For years I’ve practiced theft,

And I haven’t been lazy —

I should have garnered wealth,

But I’ve drunk like crazy.

Sometimes I’m a poor thing,

Longing for a penny.

I’ve gotten nor friends nor inn,

And I can’t get any.

For years I’ve practiced theft,

And I haven’t been lazy —

I should have garnered wealth,

But I’ve drunk like crazy.

I’ve kept on right along

Carding and hard drinking.

All I’ve performed is wrong,

Wrong from the beginning!

1962.

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