THE PAPER SOLDIER
Bulat Okudzhava (1959)

There was a soldier - jolly boy.	
He was good-looking, brave, 
But he was merely a toy, -
Of paper he was made.

You never shared hidden thoughts 
With your devoted mate. 
Why? That is only because  
Of paper he was made.   

He wanted to rebuild the world, -
All people happy made, 
But he was hanging on the wall, -
Of paper he was made.

He would be glad to rush in blaze
And fall for you in raid                              
But you kept laughing at his face              
Of paper he was made.                                       

Continuing his life to blame,
Not craving gifts from Fate
He kept just asking for the flame 
Though he"s of paper made. 

So, to the flame? Go, get your aim!
And once, he lanced to fire"s blade
And fell in battle just in vain, -
Of paper he was made. 


Translated by Sergey Kishkinsky 
25-Feb-09