English Lyrics

Refrain
Yo, heave ho!
Yo, heave ho!
Once more, once again, still once more
Yo, heave ho!
Yo, heave ho!
Once more, once again, still once more

1. Now we fell the stout birch tree,
Now we pull hard: one, two, three.
Ay-da, da, ay-da!
Ay-da, da, ay-da!
Now we pull hard: one, two, three. Refrain

2. As we walk along the shore,
To the sun we sing our song.
Ay-da, da, ay-da!
Ay-da, da, ay-da!
To the sun we sing our song.

Russian transliteration

Ey, ukhnem!
Ey, ukhnem!
Yeshcho razik, yeshcho da raz!
Ey, ukhnem!
Ey, ukhnem!
Yeshcho razik, yeshcho da raz!

1. Razovyom my beryozu,
Razovyom my kudryavu!
Ai-da, da ai-da,
Ai-da, da ai-da,
Razovyom my kudryavu.

2. My po berezhku idyom,
Pesnyu solnyshku poyom.
Ai-da, da ai-da,
Ai-da, da ai-da,
Pesnyu solnyshku poyom.

This song was sung by burlaks, or barge-haulers, on the Volga River. This song is in Phrygian mode. (source)

Links

• more Russian folk songs
• more minor / modal songs
• more songs about boats & ships
• more work songs: rowing
• Song of the Volga Boatmen – Red Army Chorus

The following content is available below to Plus Members:

• PDF includes:
  • Song with chords
• MIDI file
• MP3