Song of the Musketeers (Korol' i Shut)

[igenlode]

A filk/translation of the ballad that has nothing whatsoever to do with the 'Soviet Musketeers' film, but which has a very catchy chorus that went round and round in my head while I was cycling until it had practically translated itself ;-)
And after that, of course, I had to put sweat and tears into actually translating the verses to go with it...

The scansion of the original is pretty erratic (especially on Porthos' couplets), and occasionally I deliberately took out a syllable or two to match. But as with most ballads, it's mainly a matter of fitting the words into the basic tune as they vary from verse to verse. It's slightly bawdy, slightly raucous, and very much has a 'folk' feel; it's also a lot of fun!

(And inevitably, of course, someone did a fanvid for it using the beloved "D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers" clips... but in this case I think this version using footage from a modern 'straight' non-musical Russian film fits the lyrics a little better, though both are very well done.)

Watch on YouTube

Literal English version of the lyrics: https://lyricstranslate.com/ru/pesnya-mushketerov-musketeers-song.html

My singable version:

"Song of the Musketeers" (Pesnya mushketyorov)

ARAMIS:	The wind across the meadow invites us To roam unshod across the grassy plain
PORTHOS:	Pour out some wine, my friend - now pour another We'll have a drink and then we'll drink again!
ATHOS:	And I will take an oath upon my sword-point To pierce whoever tries to block my path
D'ARTAGNAN:	With friends I don't feel such a country bumpkin With friends we always have a laugh
ALL FOUR (CHORUS):	Side by side at any moment We will fight and die at need Meanwhile life is very pleasant With the best of friends indeed! Down the street in step together Royal Musketeers are we Athos — Porthos — Aramis — But where's the Gascon...? —Hey, that's me!
ARAMIS:	My friends, I'll tell you all a secret I never could resist a pretty face
PORTHOS:	Oho! I've found another piece of money You're coming out to find a drinking place!
ATHOS:	My dignity and honour I'll always Be able to defend at any cost
D'ARTAGNAN:	While sometimes I'm so rash and reckless That everyone just wants me to get lost!
CHORUS:	Side by side at any moment We will fight and die at need...
ARAMIS:	I pay court to lots of lovely ladies Each of them so sweet in her own way
PORTHOS:	I'm not stingy - look, I'm buying! Then we'll party on if you can pay...
ATHOS:	Before the ready menace of my weapon Enemies are stricken down with fear
D'ARTAGNAN:	Mine lives in my bulging velvet breeches I'm certain to have it somewhere near!
CHORUS:	Side by side at any moment We will fight and die at need Meanwhile life is very pleasant With the best of friends indeed! Down the street in step together Royal Musketeers are we Athos — Porthos — Aramis — But where's the Gascon...? —Hey, that's me!

Comments

[watervole]

That is a great vid!

"D'ARTAGNAN: Mine lives in my bulging velvet breeches
I'm certain to have it somewhere near!"

I assume the double- entendre is intentional?

[igenlode]

Very intentional (as illustrated also in the vid at that point) -- although the original only says "wide" ;-)

He does manage to get involved with *three* women at the same time, sleeping with two of them simultaneously...

[igenlode]

I love the way the video editing has a shot of the characters not only actually walking down the street in step at the appropriate moment, but doing so in time to the music :-D

Also d'Artagnan popping up enthusiastically for the "Vot on -- Ia" (Here he: me!")