Forth my way now lies; bridges backwards aflame.

What’s the truth, what are lies, what is glory, what’s shame?

Only Russia is true. Scarred by roads as she would,

Russia shudders all through from the hoof and the boot.

Russian officers, you are

Russia’s noble class.

I am not the first, sure;

Neither am I the last.

Russian officers, you are…

You are now to choose:

Wreck of nerves to endure,

Or your honour to lose.

Who’s my friend, who’s my foe, none will turn me awry.

Right is way that I go; Russia’s soldier am I.

Even home and the hearth one can stop thinking of,

But till lead in the heart one has Russia to love.

Russian officers, you are…

Russia’s noble class.

I am not the first, sure;

Neither am I the last.

Years passing, and if you

Face the trial of God,

It will never forgive you,

Oh no, it will not!

And in love and in fight none is higher above

Than your most troubled life, oh Russia, my love!

Only Russia is true. Scarred by roads as she would,

Russia shudders all through from the hoof and the boot.

Russian officers, you are

Russia’s noble class.

I am not the first, sure;

Neither am I the last.

Russian officers, you are…

You are now to choose:

Wreck of nerves to endure,

Or your honour to lose.