Эй, ухнем! // Song of the Volga Boatmen (English subtitles)

[TheBalderas83]

I would like to ask who is the singer of this version. Ivan Rebroff ?? Leonid Kharitonov ??

[MrWhooy]

@TheBalderas83

I don't know.

Definitely not Rebroff though.

[Meresortsitar]

How does 'мать-река' mean 'pride'? Because literally it means 'mother-river'? (I'm not an expert on Russian just asking).

[MrWhooy]

@Meresortsitar

It doesn't. I took this translation from Wikipedia, because it rhymes.

"Мать-река" is a very vague symbolic expression (and not a common one; I have only encountered it in this particular song). Much like the words "our pride" applied to a river. They bear similar poetic meaning. From my viewpoint, that's what is important.

[Meresortsitar]

@MrWhooy Ok. I understand that it rymes. Though to me the symbols 'mother' and 'pride' are very different and both abstract but strong. The burlaks were poor and sad (like the song) I doupt they had any strong concept of pride. Quite the opposite - they admired the strength of the river and called it their mother (maybe even longing for one) feeling weak like children besides it. The river might have also fed them - giving fish.

It's a similar symbol like Mother Nature to my mind.

[Meresortsitar]

@MrWhooy But of-course like any art the lyrics can be percieved differently and almost always it's so that if something is translated - something always gets lost.

[MrWhooy]

@Meresortsitar

Exactly.

[pianodesu]

For me It's the best interpretation on youtube :) . But it seems to be a bit more quite than other recordings? I have to turn my speakers volume on max to feel the power of this music. Maybe It needs normalizing?

[MrWhooy]

@pianodesu

The beginning is somewhat quiet. Then it gets louder.

[ebolaification]

Yo-Heave-Ho and a bottle of Vodka!!

[MrWhooy]

@ebolaification

The song has nothing to do with pirates. More like barge-haulers.

[ebolaification]

@MrWhooy I know. I was just making a joke.

[MrWhooy]

@ebolaification

Good)



[TheHumbleHope]

I really like this version for some reason. It is slower and has a deeper tone.

[themrchappi1]

very bad translation

[MrWhooy]

@themrchappi1

I took it from Wikipedia.

"Эй ухнем" is really hard to translate because of phrases like "Разовьём мы берёзу // Разовьём мы кудряву!", etc.

It's kinda like trying to translate the refrain of "Whiskey in the Jar".

But the gist is there. And it rhymes.