Красная Смородина (Krasnaya Smorodina) Lyrics in English by Ленинград (Leningrad)
Смородина (Smorodina) refers to currants, a type of berry. While it might seem like a simple fruit, it's a less common word in song lyrics, making it stand out.
In the song, the title itself, "Красная Смородина" (Red Currant), highlights its significance. The lyrics mention the mother collecting red currants in the garden, creating a vivid image of home and tradition amidst the harsh realities of war. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and the simple, enduring aspects of life.
Ленинград (Leningrad) brings us a song that feels like a snapshot of rural Russian life, but with a heavy, melancholic undertone. It starts with vivid, almost humorous details of a humble dacha: a "Домик маленький, шесть соток садоводство" [small house, six hundred square meters for gardening], a "Крыша ржавая, сарай из трёх досок" [rusty roof, shed made of three planks], and even "Две пары из пяти носок Сохнут на верёвке у сарая" [two pairs out of five socks drying on a rope by the shed]. It's a picture of simple, perhaps struggling, existence, where even the "Рукомойник из бутылки Sрriте" [washbasin made from a Sprite bottle] adds to the charm.
But then, the chorus hits you with a stark contrast: "Собирала в огороде мать красную смородину Снова сын уехал воевать умирать за Родину!" [Mother was picking red currants in the garden Again, her son left to fight, to die for the Motherland!]. This line is repeated, making it clear that despite the everyday scenes of a leaning fence and an old, sick cat named Vasily, there's a deep, recurring sorrow. The imagery of "А то ли тучи, то ли облака" [Are those storm clouds, or just clouds] floating over Russia adds to the feeling of uncertainty and impending doom, making this song a poignant look at the personal cost of conflict.
