By Lesya Ukrainka (1890)
Away, thoughts - you heavy, autumn clouds!
Now the spring comes, gleaming gold!
Is it with such pity, lamenting aloud
That the stories of young summers are told?
No, I want to laugh through my tears,
And sing songs amongst the fray,
Without hope comes fears,
Let me live! Sad thoughts - away!
Standing on poor and sad fallow land
I will sow colourful flowers,
I will sow flowers in cold sand,
I will give them bitter tear-showers.
And those tears will melt hot,
That crust is ice, strong,
Maybe, flowers come up - and plot
A spring for me that's happy and long.
On a steep flint mountain
I will lift a heavy stone
And, bearing that terrible burden,
I'll sing a fun song.
Through the long, endless, dark night,
Not for a moment will I close my eyes,
I will search for the star that lights,
The clear, bright mistress of the skies.
Yes! I will laugh through my tears,
and sing songs amongst the fray,
Without hope comes fears,
Let me live! Sad thoughts - away!
Translation - Richard Pettifer (2022)
with Olha Velymchanytsia
