The Storm Has Wrapped the Sky in Darkness
Alexander Dargomyzhsky (1813-1869)
[Sung in Russian]
[English translation:]
The storm wind covers the sky
Whirling the fleecy snow drifts,
Now it howls like a wolf,
Now it is crying, like a lost child,
Now rustling the decayed thatch
On our tumbledown roof,
Now, like a delayed traveler,
Knocking on our window pane.
Our wretched little cottage
Is gloomy and dark.
Why do you sit all silent
Hugging the window, old gran?
Has the howling of the storm
Wearied you, at last, dear friend?
Or are you dozing fitfully
Under the spinning wheel's humming?
Let us drink, dearest friend
To my poor wasted youth.
Let us drink from grief—where's the glass?
Our hearts, at least, will be lightened.
Sing me a song of how the bluetit
Quietly lives across the sea.
Sing me a song of how the young girl
Went to fetch water in the morning.
The storm wind covers the sky
Whirling the fleecy snow drifts
Now it howls like a wolf,
Now it is crying, like a lost child.
Let us drink, dearest friend
To my poor wasted youth.
Let us drink from grief—where's the glass?
Our hearts at least will be lightened.
— Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837)
“The Storm Has Wrapped the Sky in Darkness” was recorded by the Houston Chamber Choir in the album "Ravishingly Russian" released in 2010 by MSR Classics.
