Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Polyushko Polye; Red Army Choir

A few days ago was one of the greatest holidays in Russia: it was the Victory Day. We can read about it on its Wikipedia page:

May 9th, Russia celebrates the victory over Nazi Germany, while remembering those who died in order to achieve it. On 9 May 1945 (by Moscow time) the German military surrendered to the Soviet Union and the Allies of World War II in Berlin (Karlshorst). A military parade is held in Moscow to celebrate the day. Victory Day (День Победы Den Pobedy) is by far one of the biggest Russian holidays. It commemorates those who died in WWII and pays tribute to survivors and veterans. Flowers and wreaths are laid on wartime graves and special parties and concerts are organized for veterans. In the evening there is a firework display. A huge military parade, hosted by the President of the Russian Federation, is annually organized in Moscow on Red Square. Similar parades are organized in all major Russian cities.”

I found on the website Moscow Russia Insider's Guide the view of this holiday from a Russian:

Unlike other holidays, The Victory Day in Russia isn't just another day to rest at home. This day unites all Russians with a memory of heroic deed of our grandfathers. Thanks to them, we exist as a nation — and as human beings.

“And so, once a year, on 9th of May, we congratulate each other with this wonderful date. The entire country celebrates, parades are held, we listen to 'Den' Pobedy' — a great song about Victory. And veterans — they quietly sit together to remember how it was...

If you got interested read the whole article clicking right here.


Besides “Den' Pobedy”, another song which is sung in the Parade is Polyushko Polye” (Russian spelling: Полюшко Поле). Polye means “field” in Russian, “polyushko” is a diminutive/hypocoristic form for “polye. The same article from Wikipedia states that “the music was by Lev Knipper, with lyrics by Viktor Gusev. Knipper's song was part of the symphony with chorus (lyrics by Gusev) "A Poem about a Komsomol Soldier" (Поэма о бойце-комсомольце) composed in 1934. The original lyrics are sung from the perspective of a Red Army recruit, who proudly leaves his home to keep watch against his homeland's enemies.”

This song is normally performed by the Red Army Choir and, as you can see watching the video below, a mustached old man whistles along the song.
Have a good holiday!

Полюшко-поле,
Полюшко, широко поле!
Едут по полю герои,
Эх, да Красной Армии герои

Девушки, гляньте,
Гляньте на дорогу нашу
Вьется дальняя дорога,
Эх, да развеселая дорога

Девушки, гляньте,
Мы врага принять готовы,
Наши кони быстроноги,
Эх, да наши танки быстроходны

В небе за тучей
Грозные следят пилоты.
Быстро плавают подлодки,
Эх, да зорко смотрит Ворошилов

Пусть же в колхозе
Дружная кипит работа,
Мы - дозорные сегодня,
Эх, да мы сегодня часовые

Полюшко-поле,
Полюшко, зелено поле!
Едут по полю герои,
Эх, да Красной Армии герои!




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