"To the Eagles of the Czar" (WW1 Russian Fallen Heroes Song) — English subs and translation

Russian Republic, 1917

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A poem by the great Russian monarchist poet Sergej Bekhtejev written in 1917 and performed by the "Gromoglas" studip. It is addressed to the military heroes of the past Russia - in particular, to those who died in the Great War. The poet thanks the "Eagles of the Czar" for their great feat, and expresses sincere joy that they did not find the shame and betrayal that fell on the shoulders of the Russian army in 1917. Bekhtejev is happy that these people died, having fulfilled their duty, and did not stain their honour before the Fatherland - thereby, in some way leaving a chance for redemption for the new Russia. The author draws a line between the heroic Russian army of the past and the army that betrayed its Сzar in times of turmoil. The poem is characterized by a contrast typical for Bekhtejev's poetry between the bitter, crushed experience of the lost empire and the hope of its revival and return in all its former splendour. We can only join these hopes and repeat after the great poet - the banners will fly again, the mold of resentment will be washed away, the shoulder boards will shine again, the royal anthem will thunder!

Portrayed by a photo of the funeral of a WW1 Russian soldier - one of the heroic "Eagles of the Czar" mentioned in the lyrics of the song.

LYRICS:

Спите, ​родные​ герои
Славныхъ, великихъ боёвъ!
Къ вамъ въ ​гробовые​ покои
Доступа нѣтъ для враговъ.

​Полные​ грозной отваги
Въ ​сѣчахъ​ кровавой войны,
Долгу священной присяги
​Всѣ​ вы остались вѣрны.

Вы отъ враговъ не бѣжали,
Не торговались въ бою,
Вы продавать не дерзали
Матерь-отчизну свою.

Спите въ далёкой чужбинѣ,
​Смѣлые​ братья-борцы;
Лавры ​побѣдные​ нынѣ
Вамъ суждены, храбрецы!

Ваши завѣты ​святые​
Съ вами навѣкъ не умрутъ,
Ваши дѣла ​боевые​
Новыхъ бойцовъ соберутъ!

Вновь разовьются знамёна,
Смоется плѣсень обидъ,
Снова заблещутъ погоны,
Царственный гимнъ загремитъ.

Дружной семьёй соберутся
​Новыя​ стаи орловъ,
Къ грозной борьбѣ встрепенутся
Въ гулѣ побѣдныхъ громовъ.

Спите, герои-солдаты,
Спи, богатырь-офицеръ;
Русскому войску богатый
Вы показали примѣръ!

Спите въ таинственныхъ сѣняхъ
Сномъ горделивымъ орловъ;
Честная Русь на колѣняхъ
Плачетъ у вашихъ гробовъ...

Видео "To the Eagles of the Czar" (WW1 Russian Fallen Heroes Song) — English subs and translation канала A life for the Czar