Soviet Tankmen's Song

The Soviet Tankmen's Song is a popular tune originating in the Russian film "A na Voine kak na Voine" ("All's fair in love and war"), about the crew of an SU-100 self-propelled gun. It has no title and is referred to by its first line: "Po Polyu Tanki Grokhotali" ("Across the Field Tanks Thundered"). The song melody originate from the old Russian miners song "Sirens sounded alarm", popularized in the 1940 film "Big life". Lyric of the song was replaced during WWII. [ [http://www.1917.com/Gallery/Revolutionary_Song/1129475499.html «Гудки тревожно загудели» ] ]

Media

Lyrics

The English translator is Danila Vorobiev [http://www.anekdot.ru/iron-98-display.html?from=162] , with some minor adjustments made by V. Fofanov. The song quite closely reflects the rhythm and the sense of Russian original. The general performance is in the sad tones and last two lines usually tragically stressed.

: The tanks are rattling like a thunder: The soldiers went for final fight: And now they carried young commander: With head all broken outright

: His tank was hit by armour-piercer: So say good-bye my dear crew: Four silent corpses on the hull side: Will add to fair morning view : And now vehicle is a-burning: Wait for the shells to detonate: You wanna live to see this morning: But you are weak and it's too late! : So, they'll extract you from the remnants: Then put your coffin on the clay: And triple fire from the main guns: Will see you onto your last way : And now telegrams are flying: To the friends and relatives: That their son will never coming: And never getting any leave : An old photo on the bookshelf: Will collect dust for years on end: In uniform with shoulder-boards: And he will never be her man!

A More Literal Translation

: Across the field tanks thundered: Soldiers going into deadly battle,: And now a young commander: Is carried along with his head shot through. : And now the tank is hit with a slug: So goodbye my crew: Four corpses by the tank: Will decorate the morning scene

: The machine is engulfed in flames: The ammunition is about to blow : And though I want to live so much, guys,: I'm too weak to climb out!

: They'll take us out from under the debris: Lift up our bodies: And shoot salute with the guns: To send us on our last journey

: And the telegrams will fly: To all those close to us: That their son will never return: And will not come for a visit

: In the corner a mother, an old woman, will weep,: Father will wipe a tear away with his hand,: And the dear one will never know: What the tankist's end was like.

: And a photo will collect dust: Accumulating dust for decades [the song in the ogg file actually says 'On a shelf of yellowing books'] : In tank uniform with shoulder bars: And he is no longer her groom.

Original Russian

: По полю танки грохотали: Солдаты шли на смертный бой: А молодого командира: Несут с пробитой головой : А вот попала в танк болванка: Так что прощай мой экипаж: Четыре трупа возле танка: Украсят утренний пейзаж : Машина пламенем объята: Сейчас рванет боекомплект: А жить так хочется, ребята,: Но вылезать уж силы нет! : Нас извлекут из под обломков: Поднимут на руки каркас: И залпы башенных орудий: В последний путь проводят нас : И полетят тут телеграммы: Родных и близких известить: Что сын их больше не вернется: И не приедет погостить:: В углу заплачет мать-старушка,: Слезу рукой смахнет отец,: И дорогая не узнает,: Какой танкиста был конец. : И будет карточка пылиться: На полке пожелтевших книг: В танкистской форме при погонах: И ей он больше не жених!

See also

* March of the Soviet Tankmen

Notes