Farewell of Slavianka

Прощаніе славянки

English: Farewell of Slavianka
The cover of one of the first editions of the Farewell of Slavianka notes
Regional anthem of Tambov Oblast
Also known as	Гимн Тамбовской области (English: Anthem of Tambov Oblast)
Lyrics	Various, including versions by unknown authors and by Vasily Agapkin, 1912
Music	Vasily Agapkin
Adopted	1937
Audio sample
Instrumental recording by the United States Coast Guard Band file help

"Farewell of Slavianka" (Russian: Прощание славянки (pre-1918: Прощаніе славянки), romanized: Proshchaniye slavianki) is a Russian patriotic march, written by the composer Vasily Agapkin in honour of Slavic women accompanying their husbands in the First Balkan War. The march was written and premiered in Tambov in the end of 1912. In the summer of 1915, it was released as a gramophone single in Kiev. Slavianka means "Slavic woman".

History

The melody gained popularity in Russia and adjoining countries during the First World War, when the Russian soldiers left their homes and were accompanied by the music of the march. It was also performed during the parade of 7 November 1941 on the Red Square after which soldiers went straight to fight in the Battle of Moscow as part of the Second World War. This march was also used as an unofficial anthem of Admiral Kolchak's White Army.

Sources alleged that the song was banned prior to its use in the award-winning 1957 film The Cranes Are Flying, because of its lyrics about supposedly banned subjects. However, there are multiple documentations of the song being performed prior to this, many conducted by Agapkin himself. The earliest recorded publication of Farewell to Slavianka in the Soviet era was in 1929, and its earliest known performance by communist troops was in 1918. Most famously, it was one of four marching tunes performed during the 1941 October Revolution Parade on the Red Square. The song was originally published by Zimmerman Production Association around 1912. The march was published in an official collection of music for Red Army orchestras, and it was recorded in the early 1940s by a military orchestra under the conductor Ivan Petrov (1906–1975), but different lyrics were then used. Other lyrics are now usually sung by the Red Army choir.

Subsequently, several composers have written lyrics for the music in various languages. During the Finnish Civil War the Finnish Reds adapted the song into Vapaa Venäjä, a working class marching song. During the Second World War in German-occupied Poland, an adapted "underground" version of the song, Rozszumiały się wierzby płaczące ("Weeping Willows Began to Hum"), became popular in the Polish resistance and was based on lyrics by Roman Ślęzak.

In the 1990s, the liberal political party Yabloko lobbied unsuccessfully for the march to be adopted as the Russian national anthem.

"Farewell of Slavianka" was used in movies like The Cranes Are Flying and Charlie Wilson's War, which is about the Soviet–Afghan War, and in the Russian movies 72 Meters (72 метра) and Prisoner of the Mountains (Кавказский пленник, Kavkazskiy plennik). An instrumental version of the song was also featured in the 1990 Ukrainian film Raspad ("Decay") during the Pripyat evacuation scene.

A Hebrew version was written in 1945 by the singer/songwriter Haim Hefer for the Palmach. In his version of the song, בין גבולות‎ ("Between Borders"), Hefer coined the phrase אָנוּ פֹּה חוֹמַת מָגֵן‎ (We are here a defensive wall), which was used by Israel Defense Forces to call Operation Defensive Shield (literally "Operation Defensive Wall") in 2002.

Lyrics

1967 version

The Farewell of Slavianka first received official lyrics under the Soviet leadership that were appropriate for the time's political climate, but references to Russian culture, religion and patriotism were changed. The new version by A. Fedotov.

The first version under the Soviet Union (1941) did not mention the Battle of Berlin, unlike the later version (1967).

Russian original	Romanized Russian script	English translation
Этот марш не смолкал на перронах Когда враг заслонял горизонт. С ним отцов наших в дымных вагонах Поезда увозили на фронт. Он Москву отстоял в сорок первом, В сорок пятом шагал на Берлин, Он c солдатом прошёл до Победы По дорогам нелёгких годин. И если в поход Страна позовёт, За край наш родной Мы все пойдём в священный бой! Шумят в полях хлеба. Шагает Отчизна моя К высотам счастья, Сквозь все ненастья, Дорогой мира и труда.	Etot marsh ne smolkal na perronakh Kogda vrag zaslonyal gorizont. S nim ottsov nashikh v dymnykh vagonakh Poyezda uvozili na front. On Moskvu otstoyal v sorok pervom, V sorok pyatom shagal na Berlin, On s soldatom proshyol do pobedy Po dorogam nelyogkikh godin. I yesli v pokhod strana pozovyot, Za kray nash rodnoy My vse poydyom v svyashchennyy boy! Shumyat v polyakh khleba. Shagayet otchizna moya K vysotam schast'ya, Skvoz' vse nenast'ya, Dorogoy mira i truda.	This march on the platforms wasn't silent When the foe clouded the horizon . our fathers in smoking railcars with it Were by trains brought to the front. He preserved Moscow in '41, In '45 he marched on Berlin. He accompanied the soldier to victory Along the roads of tough years. And if the country Calleth us on a campaign For our native land We all shall march to sacred war! Wheat rustleth in the fields, My Fatherland marcheth To the heights of joy Through all misfortunes On the path of peace and labour.

1984 version

Another version of the lyrics was written by Vladimir Lazarev in 1984 and has gained the popularity since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 because of the slower tempo and the added human fragility factor ("Farewell, fatherland, remember us, … … not all of us will come back. ...").

Russian original	Romanized Russian script	English translation
Наступает минута прощания, Ты глядишь мне тревожно в глаза, И ловлю я родное дыхание, А вдали уже дышит гроза. Дрогнул воздух туманный и синий, И тревога коснулась висков, И зовёт нас на подвиг Россия, Веет ветром от шага полков. Прощай, отчий край, Ты нас вспоминай, Прощай, милый взгляд, Прости-прощай, прости-прощай. Прощай, отчий край, Ты нас вспоминай, Прощай, милый взгляд, Не все из нас придут назад. Летят, летят года, Уходят во мглу поезда, А в них — солдаты. И в небе тёмном, Горит солдатская звезда.	Nastupayet minuta proshchaniya, Ty glyadish' mne trevozhno v glaza, I lovlyu ya rodnoye dykhaniye, A vdali uzhe dyshit groza. Drognul vozdukh tumannyy i siniy, I trevoga kosnulas' viskov, I zovyot nas na podvig Rossiya, Veyet vetrom ot shaga polkov. Proshchay, otchiy kray, Ty nas vspominay, Proshchay, milyy vzglyad, Prosti-proshchay, prosti-proshchay. Proshchay, otchiy kray, Ty nas vspominay, Proshchay, milyy vzglyad, Ne vse iz nas pridut nazad. Letyat, letyat goda, Ukhodyat vo mglu poyezda, A v nikh — soldaty. I v nebe tyomnom, Gorit soldatskaya zvezda	The minute of parting is near, You look into my eyes with anxiety. I can feel your breath, A storm is forming far away already. The heavy, misty air is trembling, Anxiety has touched my temples. Russia calls us for heroic doings, One can feel the wind of the marching regiments. Farewell, homeland, Remember us. Farewell, familiar faces, Forgiving farewell, forgiving farewell. Farewell, homeland, Remember us. Farewell, o dear gaze, Not all of us will come back. Fly, fly through the years, Trains disappear in the darkness. In them are soldiers, And in the dark sky Shineth the soldier's star.

1997 version

A White Army version of the march, written by Andrei Mingalyov, was created after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Russian original	Romanized Russian script	English translation
I Встань за Веру, Русская Земля! Много песен мы в сердце сложили, Воспевая родные края Беззаветно тебя мы любили, Святорусская наша земля. Высоко ты главу поднимала – Словно солнце твой лик воссиял. Но ты жертвою подлости стала – Тех, кто предал тебя и продал! Припев: И снова в поход труба нас зовёт. Мы все встанем в строй И все пойдём в священный бой. II Встань за Веру, Русская земля! Ждут победы России святые. Отзовись, православная рать! Где Илья твой и где твой Добрыня? Сыновей кличет Родина-мать. Под хоругви мы встанем все смело Крестным ходом с молитвой пойдём, За Российское правое дело Кровь мы русскую честно прольём. Припев III Встань за Веру, Русская Земля! Все мы – дети великой Державы, Все мы помним заветы отцов Ради Родины, Чести и Славы Не жалей ни себя, ни врагов. Встань, Россия, из рабского плена, Дух победы зовёт: в бой, пора! Подними боевые знамена Ради Веры, Любви и Добра! Припев	I Vstan' za Veru, Russkaya Zemlya! Mnogo pesen my v serdtse slozhili, Vospevaya rodnyye kraya Bezzavetno tebya my lyubili, Svyatorusskaya nasha zemlya. Vysoko ty glavu podnimala – Slovno solntse tvoy lik vossiyal. No ty zhertvoyu podlosti stala – Tekh, kto predal tebya i prodal! Pripev: I snova v pokhod truba nas zovyot. My vse vstanem v stroy I vse poydyom v svyashchennyy boy. II Vstan' za Veru, Russkaya Zemlya! Zhdut pobedy Rossii svyatyye. Otzovis', pravoslavnaya rat'! Gde Il'ya tvoy i gde tvoy Dobrynya? Synovey klichet Rodina-mat'. Pod khorugvi my vstanem vse smelo Krestnym khodom s molitvoy poydyom, Za Rossiyskoye pravoye delo Krov' my russkuyu chestno prol'yom. Pripev III Vstan' za Veru, Russkaya Zemlya! Vse my – deti velikoy derzhavy, Vse my pomnim zavety ottsov Radi Rodiny, Chesti i Slavy Ne zhaley ni sebya, ni vragov. Vstan', Rossiya, iz rabskogo plena, Dukh pobedy zovyot: v boy, pora! Podnimi boyevyye znamena Radi Very, Lyubvi i Dobra! Pripev	I Arise for faith, o Russian land! We composed many a song in our heart, Glorifying the native land. We loved thee no matter what, Thou, our holy Russian land. Thou hast raised thy head high, Thy face was shining like the sun. But thou hast become a victim of betrayal – by those who have thee cheated and sold! Chorus: And again in march trumpet calleth us. We all stand in order And go to the holy battle. II Arise for faith, o Russian fatherland! The saints await Russia's victory. Respond, o Orthodox host! Where is thine Ilya, where is thy Dobrynya? Mother Homeland summoneth her sons. We will stand all together under the gonfalons. And go, praying, as a procession, For the right cause of Russia We will shed Russian blood honestly. Chorus III Arise for faith, o Russian land! We are all children of a great empire, We all remember the commandments of our fathers: For the Homeland, Honor, Glory, Pity neither thyself nor the enemy. Arise, Russia, from thy prison of slavery, Victory's spirit is called: time for battle! Rise thy battle flags For Faith, Love, and Good. Chorus

Tambov Oblast anthem

The Farewell of Slavianka melody was used for the Tambov Oblast anthem, whose lyrics were written on 22 May 2002 by A. Mitrofanov.

Russian original	Romanized Russian script	English translation
I На просторах бескрайних и синих, Где берёзы любуются Цной, В самом сердце великой России Ты раскинулся, край наш родной. Полыхали зловеще зарницы, Но в историю грозных веков Ты вписал своей славы страницы, Честь, свободу храня от оков. Припев: Тамбовский наш край, В веках процветай! Ты славен людьми, Храни, Господь, тебя, храни! II И пусть летят года, Ты с нами, наш край, навсегда. Здесь родились мы, И с этим краем У нас на всех одна судьба. Здесь родились мы, И с этим краем У нас на всех одна судьба. Припев III С пульсом Родины шаг свой сверяя, Край любимый наш смотрит вперёд, Славу верных сынов умножая, Твёрдой поступью к счастью идёт. Пусть заметнее будут успехи, Хорошеет любимый наш край, На земле благодатной во веки Цветом яблонь своих расцветай. Припев	I Na prostorakh beskraynikh i sinikh, Gde beryozy lyubuyutsya Tsnoy, V samom serdtse velikoy Rossii Ty raskinulsya, kray nash rodnoy. Polykhali zloveshche zarnitsy, No v istoriyu groznykh vekov Ty vpisal svoyey slavy stranitsy, Chest', svobodu khranya ot okov. Pripev: Tambovskiy nash kray, V vekakh protsvetay! Ty slaven lyud'mi, Khrani, Gospod', tebya, khrani! II I pust' letyat goda, Ty s nami, nash kray, navsegda. Zdes' rodilis' my, I s etim krayem U nas na vsekh odna sud'ba. Zdes' rodilis' my, I s etim krayem U nas na vsekh odna sud'ba. Pripev III S pul'som Rodiny shag svoy sveryaya, Kray lyubimyy nash smotrit vperyod, Slavu vernykh synov umnozhaya, Tvyordoy postul'yu k schast'yu idyot. Pust' zametneye budut uspekhi, Khorosheyet lyubimyy nash kray, Na zemle blagodatnoy vo veki Tsvetom yablon' svoikh rastsvetay. Pripev	I In the expanse of endless and blue, Where birches are admired by Tsna, In the heart of the great Russia Thou art spread; our home region. Heat-lightnings blaze ominously, But in thy history of terrible centuries Thou art written the pages of thy glory, Keep out of the shackles honour and freedom. Chorus: Our Tambov Region, Rise in the centuries! Thou art the glory by thy people, The Lord will bless and save thee! II Let the years fly, Thou art with us, our region, forever. From there were are born, And with this region We have one destiny. From there we are born, And with this region We have one destiny. Chorus III Checking thy step with the pulse of the Motherland, Our lovely region looketh forward, Multiply the glory of thy faithful sons, Stepping firmly towards happiness. Let success be more noticeable, Our beloved region increaseth in beauty, On a graceful land forever Blossom with the colour of thine apple trees. Chorus

My Comrade in Death Throes

The melody of the song is also used for the poem My Comrade in Death Throes. Here is a sample verse:

Ты не плачь, не стони, ты не маленький,

Ты не ранен, ты просто убит.

Дай на память сниму с тебя валенки,

Нам еще наступать предстоит.

Do not cry, do not moan, you're not little.

You're not wounded, you're simply killed.

Let me take off your valenki for memory,

We are yet to delve into attack.

It was written in December 1944 by Ion Degen, a Second World War tank ace.

Vapaa Venäjä

Another version of the song is Vapaa Venäjä, which was composed by the Finnish Red Guards to serve as a marching song for them.

External links

• A Chinese rendition with translated (Red Army Choir) lyrics performed by the Male Choir of the People's Armed Police
• A version from 1990s