Moscow Nights

Image courtesy of Serge Kutuzov (@serge_k) on Unsplash.

This is an English translation of a Chinese translation of the Russian folk song, “Moscow Nights”, which in Chinese is “莫斯科郊外的晚上”, or “Nights in Moscow’s Outskirts”. My mother sang this around the house growing up, and I have fond memories of it.

In the deep of night,

the garden is still all-around.

Only the breeze is softly singing.

How pleasant is the nightscape,

How free-flying is the heart

On this night of ambling souls!

A little brook quickly flows,

soft waves lapping quietly;

The water’s surface reflects silver moonlight;

A breath of gentle wind, a breath of singsong --

What a soul-ambling night it is.

The person of my heart

sits by my side

Stealing glances at me, not making a sound.

I want to speak to you,

But am too embarrassed about

How many words I have left in my heart.

The long night quickly makes way

for slow-alighting dawn.

I wish you the best, lovely girl.

From now on out,

You and I – never forget

These outskirt Moscow nights.