Back in 1990 John Denver teamed up with Russian Rock legend Alexander Gradsky at a live concert in Japan to sing the pro-peace song “Let Us Begin.” This was the time of the Soviet Union breaking up and hope was in the air. We have been de-oxygenating ever since. Gradsky just died at age 72 in a Moscow hospital after a September bout with Covid 19. His voice and influence will be missed as Russia girds itself to deal patriotically with the challenges emanating from its southern flank. We need to return to what could have been.
Take this moment to acquaint yourself with the magical voice of Alexander Gradsky. Right until the end, his performance of his signature song, “How Young We Were,“ brought tears to the eyes of listeners. From this one song, linked below, you will understand the beauty of the Russian language and its powers as an emotional tool. The woman on the piano is the composer, now in her 90’s, and the most prolific of the old Soviet pop composers. This is the most beautiful Russian ballad I have ever heard, and is comparable to Italy’s “Caruso,” which is also a song in the Gradsky repertoire. And finally, a translation of the lyrics.
How Young We Were
Stranger, turn around.
I've seen your honest eyes before.
Maybe it's me, only younger.
We don't always recognize ourselves.
Nothing on Earth remains unnoticed.
Our youth is over and yet it's immortal.
How young we were,
How young we were...
How sincerely we loved,
How much faith in ourselves we had!
At that time all the flowers on the roads of Earth
Welcomed us without any derision.
We forgave our friends for the mistakes
And treason was the only thing we couldn't forgive.
Nothing on Earth remains unnoticed.
Our youth is over and yet it's immortal.
How young we were,
How young we were...
How sincerely we loved,
How much faith in ourselves we had!
We've already played the first half.
And we've understood just one thing:
If you don't want to be lost on Earth,
You should try not to lose yourself.
Nothing on Earth remains unnoticed!
Our youth is over and yet it's immortal!
How young we were,
How young we were!
How sincerely we loved,
How much faith in ourselves we had!
The summer lightnings have burned in the skies
And the storm in the hearts is fading.
We won't forget the faces of people we love.
We won't forget the eyes of people close to us.
Nothing on Earth remains unnoticed.
Our youth is over and yet it's immortal.
How young we were,
How young we were.
How sincerely we loved,
How much faith in ourselves we had...
https://lyricstranslate.com