igenlode: The pirate sloop 'Horizon' from "Treasures of the Indies" (Default)
[personal profile] 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.)

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!

Date: 2025-05-30 09:58 pm (UTC)
watervole: (Default)
From: [personal profile] 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?

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igenlode: The pirate sloop 'Horizon' from "Treasures of the Indies" (Default)
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