Soyuzmultfilm Moscow 1952
THE SNOW MAIDEN A spring tale by A. Ostrovsky
The page number references are for: (English condensed piano score: IMSLP 340340. Vocal score, libretto by Edward Agate, 1908) (Russian condensed piano score: IMSLP 21540. Vocal score, "Muzyka", 1974)
music Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov arrangement and additions Lev Shvarts
screenwriters Oleg Leonidov, Ivan Ivanov-Vano, Aleksandra Snezhko-Blotskaya
director-producer (staging) Ivan Ivanov-Vano
director Aleksandra Snezhko-Blotskaya
art directors Lev Milchin, Viktor Nikitin, Nadezhda Stroganova
camera Nikolay Voinov, 2nd camera Yelena Petrova sound Nikolay Prilutskiy
combination photography Nikolay Fyodorov, Vladimir Pekar
assistant art directors Lana Azarkh, Yuriy Prytkov
assistant directors V. Sveshnikova, Tatyana Fyodorova, Vera Shilina
animators Vladimir Arbekov, Yelizaveta Komova, Mihail Botov, Valentin Lalayants,
Boris Butakov, Konstantin Malyshev, Roman Davydov, Konstantin Nikiforov,
Vladimir Danilevich, Nadezhda Privalova, Vadim Dolgikh, Lidiya Reztsova,
Faina Yepifanova, Boris Savkov, Grigoriy Kozlov, Tatyana Fyodorova,
Vyacheslav Kotyonochkin, Grigoriy Kozlov, Konstantin Chikin, Roman Kachanov
backgrounds Vera Valerianova, Irina Svetlitsa, Galina Nevzorova,
Olga Gemmerling, Yelena Tannenberg, Irina Troyanova
montage Nina Mayorova
singers: Snow Maiden - Irina Maslennikova, Lel - Veronika Borisenko,
Frost - Leonid Ktitorov, Bobyn - Veniamin Shevtsov
dance choreographer Vladimir Burmeyster
USSR Ministry of Cinematography Orchestra conductor Vasiliy Nebolsin
Choir of the USSR State Academic Bolshoi Theatre
production director Boris Chekalov
(Prologue) p.1 (Vstupleniye) p.1
The winter wanes, the roosters' song is heard...
and faery Spring now takes the Earth with wonder.
The midnight hour has struck,
this wood guardian's long vigil's done,
I fain would sink to sleep!
Are ye chilled? Are ye shivering, poor things?
Though it be just to warm yourselves,
come dance a round to celebrate our coming here!
(The Song and the Dance of the Birds) p.14 (Pesnya i plyaska ptits) p.20
Birds were a-meeting, warblers were meeting, in flocks, in flocks...
Birds were a-landing, warblers were landing, in rows, in rows...
Of all you birds, of all you warblers, who is the greatest?
Of all you birds, of all you warblers, who is the meanest?
Of all you birds, of all you warblers, who is the greatest? Who is the meanest?
The heron does our cooking,
cuckoo bird keeps time for the forest! (the forest!)
And the rosy-faced crow, she is so good-looking! (Good-looking!)
In summer, along roads! In winter, under eaves! Under eaves!
Our crow dressed finely! No one is more precious, more precious, more precious!
Away, away, into the bushes!
He's playing games again, old Frost!
(The Song of King Frost) p.27 (Pesnya Deda-Moroza) p.37
When in winter the wind goes a-howling through rafter and roof,
And the doorways of castle and cottage are creaking aloud,
what delight! What delight for me!
When in snow every road is covered and lost,
and the wagons return seeking shelter in vain,
from my lair where I watch I outstrip them with ease,
through the meadow so white o'er the frost-bitten plain.
There I lie unseen,
until midnight sounds and then I sally forth.
Shining rays will I cast through the darkness and gloom
seas of light I'll pour, coloured so brightly with many a shade,
to render night as bright as day!
High above, tongues of flame dance with fervour,
while beneath them, snows blow ever fiercer...
An ocean of colour: bright, fiery, lush, to conclude!
Here it's blue, here it's red, and there cherry-hued!
What delight,
what delight for me!
Dear faery Spring!
Art thou returned in good health?
And art thou well, too, Father Frost?
I thank thee; I cannot complain.
The Berendeyans will not soon forget this winter season!
It was a merry one!
When I wished to go out,
I'd take an oaken club,
clear out the sky, and add some silver to it.
In these vast lands, what liberty hath I!
Thou must've had much merriment,
but 'tis time for thee to journey northwards.
Don't press me, I'll soon leave myself.
At dawn of day, the icy, northern wind
doth swiftly bear me to the Siberian tundras.
Then who'll care for our snow maiden, Snegurochka?
Our daughter is a child no more.
She needs no nursemaids now.
In sure retreat the forest guards her well:
none finds the way to her abode.
(Snegurochka's Aria) p.36 (Ariya Snegurochki) p.50
To gather berries with friends in the woods,
replying to my merry-voiced companions:
"Ay-oo! Ay-oo."
To lead the circle dance, and after Lel repeat
the joyous songs that celebrate the spring:
"Oh, Lado, Lel!"
Such is my dream, and my delight; for without song, life holds no light!
For without song, life holds no light!
Holds no light!
She won't stay happy living alone amongst owls and wood guardians.
Oh, old man!
Liberty's what a maiden loves most!
That is just what I do not like.
The sun god Yarilo would gladly slay our darling child.
He strives in jealousy to fan within her breast
the fatal flame of love's delight,
and then nothing could save Snegurochka.
To bind our child against her will, I, her dear mother, won't allow.
Give me my Snegurochka!
I won't!
Why thinkest thou I'd trust my daughter to one who is so reckless?
What dost thou speak of, red-nosed fool?
Now listen, let's not quarrel:
A maiden often falls for want of guidance;
so let us give her to Bobyl, who lives near town.
He's childless; she shall be his daughter.
So be it.
Now call to me Snegurochka.
Snow maiden!
Snegurochka!
Snegurochka, my child!
Ay-oo!
Ay-oo-oo!
My poor, little Snegurochka, untamed child.
Come, nestle to my heart that I may kiss thee!
My beauty,
wouldst thou live life in freedom, with mortal men?
I would, I would, allow me!
But what lures thee to forsake thy parental home?
Why seek these Berendeyans, what charm have they for thee?
Their songs win me!
Let me go, father!
When, in the cold of winter,
thou dost return to thy dim, sombre woods,
at fall of eve I'll sing for thee,
charming thy solitude and while the time away
with joyous song!
From Lel I shall hear them, and each song quickly learn.
This Lel, how camest thou to know him?
I hid behind a wicker bush.
He herds cows in the forest, and sings all kinds of songs.
For shame, guardian!
How dost thou know that this is Lel?
To him young maidens gather, young pretty ones,
they caress his head, and look into his eyes,
praise him, and give him kisses,
and call him names fanciful and endearing,
"Thou charming Lel, oh Lel beloved!"
And truly, is handsome Lel so good at singing?
(Snegurochka's Arietta) p.41 (Ariette Snegurochki) p.57
Mama,
I have heard, yes, I have heard
I have heard, mama dear,
the larks singing at morning,
mounting aloft in aether blue,
swan calling with plaintive cry,
over the tranquil waters.
I have heard, yes, I have heard
the nightingale's pure singing,
of the night thy favourite enchantress.
And, too, Lel's songs.
The songs of Lel I love the best.
By night and day I fain would ever listen
to his sweet shepherd singing,
and feel my heart
is melting!...
Hear that? "Melting"!
The word is dark, and filled with evil omen!
Snegurochka, beware of Lel!
Heed not his songs and pleasant words!
The searing sun doth pierce him through and through!
Of all the words that were thought up by men,
the word most terrible to Frost is surely "melt".
Snegurochka, beware of Lel.
Father, I am an obedient child;
but thou art much too angered by them - by Lel and the Sun;
truly, neither Lel nor the sun provoke my fear.
Snegurochka, if thy heart should feel sorrow,
then haste away to the lake in yon sunlit vale Yarilo.
There call for me,
and whatsoe'er thy wish be, I shall not fail to help.
And I'll arrange for thee to be kept safe.
Ay-oo, my friends!
Appear now! All wood guardians!
Art all asleep?
Wake up now, obey my call!
Snegurochka needs guarding!
Listen, wood guardian:
If a strange man, or Lel the shepherd, hassles her, step in!
Entice the culprit, lead him on
to dark and lonely ways, and let him sink
to marshy pen, to slowly perish.
All right.
Oi! We bear away fair Carnival!
Here comes a crowd of joyous Berendeyans.
Let's go, Frost!
Snegurochka, farewell!
Farewell, Snegurochka, my daughter!
Farewell, father!
(Chorus. Carnival Procession) p.50 (Hor provody Maslenitsy) p.70
The roosters have crowed since the morning,
to announce that Spring is here.
Farewell, farewell, farewell Carnival!
With good and sweet food thou hast fed us,
with hydromel and beer watered us.
Farewell, farewell, farewell Carnival!
All have made merry and drunk their fill,
and even more has been spilled!
Farewell, farewell, farewell Carnival!
Thou art proudly crowned with a wisp of straw,
and finely decked with bark and moss.
Farewell, farewell, farewell Carnival!
And with many honours regal,
thou art borne away in a coach of state.
Farewell, farewell, farewell Carnival!
Oi! We bear away fair Carnival!
Oi!
("Bobyl's song" in "Final Scene") p.66 (Zaklyuchitelnaya stsena) p.94
Oh Bobyl, a pauper thou, not a stick, not a sou,
not a crumb, not a crust, save what neighbours lend on trust!
Come home, I say! Thou drunkard!
Look there, look there!
What a peculiar sight!
Ah, fie upon thee!
Thou drunkard! I shall make a ghost of thee!
Ooh! A princess!
A real one!
Pray, I would know,
how far dost thy path wend,
and thy true given name, if 'tis thy pleasure.
Snegurochka. I know not whither to go.
Yet if ye be kind, then be my hosts.
He who first discovered me, let him claim me for daugher.
Farewell, father!
Farewell, my mother!
Woodlands deep, farewell!
Farewell! Farewell! Farewell! Farewell!
(A c t 1) p.72 (Deystviye pervoye) p.105
Wouldst hear my song?
I hardly dared to ask thee, yet gladly would I listen;
to hear these songs is my sole joy and pleasure.
Then pluck a tiny flower for me, to thank me for my song!
Thou mak'st jests, thou laugh'st.
Why wouldst thou want a flower?
If thou need'st one, pluck it thyself.
The flower is not important.
But I'd treasure a gift from Snegurochka.
Have it.
I'll keep it in a visible place.
Let all maids see it.
If asked where it came from,
I shall say 'twas thy gift.
(Lell's First Song) p.79 (Pervaya pesnya Lelya) p.118
Berry, in the forest, red and running wild,
'neath briar and bramble strove to grow;
this poor orphan maiden, sweet and lonely child,
on earth no joy may ever know.
Thou art right, handsome Lel.
Go to where thou art adored.
Seek out love, thou art worthy of it.
The snow maiden's heart is cold to all,
and shall not beat with love for thee.
(Scene between Coupava, Snikir and Snegourochka) p.101 (Stsena Kupavy so Snegurochkoy i Mizgirem) p.141
Far up on the distant plain,
far up on the distant plain,
linden tree so proudly stands.
Underneath the linden tree,
underneath the linden tree,
spreads a tent of dazzling white,
spreads a tent of dazzling white.
For you, fine nuts and dainties made with spices,
my ship has brought.
Here's gold enough indeed, my pretty damsels;
right glad am I to pay the price ye ask.
Friend of my heart:
the freedom of my maidenhood, my friends,
my loved ones, I have exchanged for thee;
so don't deceive Kupava.
Pray do not break this maiden's heart.
Snegurochka, I crave a mark of friendship,
come lead the circle dance for one last time!
Not long have I left to have fun and frolic;
the last day of my maidenhood has come,
Snegurochka, the last day!
I'll come with thee!
I'll take my spun cloth home and join thee quickly.
We'll take Lel also.
Snegurochka is thy companion,
but why should Lel join us?
Snegurochka without him would be lonely.
Thou thinkest so?
Would not Snegurochka be happier to lead the dance with me?
And I?
And thou? Go join the shepherd!
What's this, my love?
But I'm thy promised bride!
Mere empty words!
The heart doth heed no law.
I loved thee once, but now I love another:
Snegurochka.
Thou art a hateful, truly hateful man!
And thou, oh stream, with swift and cooling waters,
ye friendly floods, so deep and silent,
oh hide me well, and still my grief and pain!
That I amid the restless waves
may find a grave for evermore!
Why dost thou wish, so young, to pass away?
When sorrow fades, thy heart will surely heal!
There's one who gives protection to wronged maidens: Tsar Berendey.
Go ask the tsar, Kupava!
A c t 2 (Chorus of blind gousli-players) p.129 (Pesnya slentsov-guslyarov) p.181
Our prophetic, ringing strings sing the praises
of Tsar Berendey, his glory and greatness!
Glad are the cities of the Berendeyans.
Glad are the cities of the Berendeyans,
and one may oft hear sweet songs through fair meadows.
Happy Tsar Berendey's country and peaceful!
The strings of the bards will e'er sing the praises
of Tsar Berendey's wise reign and its greatness!
(Scene between Tsar Berendey and Bermata) p.138 (Stsena tsarya s Bermatoy) p.191
Oh mighty tsar of our contented country,
long life to thee!
Within thy far-flung tsardom,
all still goes well, as is the custom.
'Tis true?
Yes, verily!
I doubt thy word, Bermyata!
Too casual are thy declared judgements.
Don't think that if
there be no murders foul or thievery...
Some do thieve, by and by.
And are they caught?
Why should we chase the rogues and waste our strength?
Let the thieves ply their trade.
One of these days, someone will catch them.
Prosperity is such a noble word!
'Twas long since I've seen it amongst my people.
Not since fifteen years erewhile.
Our summer is so short,
and year by year it doth become yet shorter,
and our springs colder get -
they are foggy and damp,
as if 'twere autumn.
The god Yarilo spurns us!
But, oh wise tsar, why should he be so angry?
Not for nought.
In people's hearts, I have noticed a coldness.
To serve Beauty is no longer their goal;
they favour now quite unrelated passions:
conceitedness, envy of others' garments.
In short, my friend: 'tis for our feelings cold
that Yarilo the Sun is angered with us,
and seeks cold vengeance.
Understand?
Then, oh wise tsar,
state a decree
that wives should be e'er faithful,
and husbands cherish more their gentle beauty,
and all young lads should be, without exception,
head-over-heels in love with their young brides.
A straightforward solution,
but will it help the matter?
Not at all.
Why, then, make the decree?
So that the Sun doth not blame us:
it was decreed, we could say;
if some don't listen, the fault's theirs!
I've pondered this whole night until the dawn,
so hear my reasoned resolution:
tomorrow, on Yarilo's Day,
in the sacred forest, I wish to gather from across this country
all bachelors and maidens, to be wed.
Do not be wroth.
Our bachelors and maidens all have nearly come to blows.
Who can we wed?
They won't agree to linger within reach of each other!
From what cause?
Not long since, in a vill beyond the river,
a maiden named Snegurochka did surface.
All the young men have quarreled for her sake.
The brides-to-be attacked their would-be grooms out of jealousy.
All vows of love are broken,
and discord reigns throughout the countryside!
A maiden beautiful, weeping and wailing...
...doth seek thy audience.
For maidens beautiful, is the way ever barred,
are my doors ever locked?
Oh father, tsar of light!
Speak, I am listening.
What wert thou wronged by?
Who hath disgraced thee?
I would ask thou something, oh father, tsar of light:
should we heed any oaths,
should in conscience we trust,
or should we lose faith in other folk totally?
How could we not have faith, oh maiden beautiful?
What keeps the light aloft?
Conscience and truth alone keep it from faltering.
May I speak, tsar of light?
Speak, I am listening...
(Finale. Tsar Berendey's Judgement. The Call of the Heralds) p.154 (Klich biryuchey) p.212
Ye subjects of our Sovereign!
Ye boyars, ye nobles and ye boyars' children!
With your manners outgoing
and your long beards flowing!
Great lords, with your vassals
who course on your errands, barefooted and breathless!
Hear ye now, hear all of ye, subjects of our Sovereign...
Hear ye now, hear all of ye,
subjects of our Sovereign, our Sovereign's order:
Go ye to the red gates majestic,
Go ye to... to the red, royal court!
to the stately, carved beams, and the gates richly gilded,
up the steps unnumbered,
inside the thick, oak doors, into the Sovereign's halls!
Justice is to be done!
(The Berendey Hymn. Tsar) p.161 (not sung) (Gimn berendeyev. Tsar) p.222
Is the culprit brought hither?
The culprit's here, thy judgement he awaits.
Ye know the crime that brought him here?
We know it!
Thy guilt forenamed dost thou confess?
I do.
Mizgir, dost thou wish to redress thy sin,
and take Kupava for thy wife?
Mizgir has but one bride: Snegurochka.
Oh, honest folk!
his crime demands a penalty of death;
whereas the laws that guide us forbid the act of bloodshed.
The people's court rules, therefore, that Mizgir
from this our land forever shall be exiled.
Let him be sent away from every door,
from every dwelling place,
which sacred holds the customs of fair antiquity!
I shall speak no words to defend my action;
yet if thou couldst, oh mighty tsar, e'en once see Snegurochka...
Have they noticed my bonnet?
They gaze and marvel, all!
Greetings, tsar!
Snegurochka, the time has come for thee
to choose a friend whom thy young heart shall cherish!
Where shall I find one such? I know not!
Thy heart will say.
And yet my heart is silent.
Oh, mighty tsar,
to love she has not wakened.
For one so fair to not know love?
It cannot be.
But if it is true...
rightly the god of warmth denies to us his grace!
Berendeyans!
To him who shall succeed before the morning
to waken love within Snegurochka,
shall, from the tsar's hands,
receive a gift exquisite:
her as his bride.
Illustrious tsar,
Snegurochka shall know love, without question.
Trust thee my words!
This poor and lonely shepherd, curly-haired Lel,
to please the blazing Sun-god and the great tsar of light
will help this maid.
Just look into her eyes!
She shall know love ere dawn of day.
Illustrious tsar! Delay my forced exile, -
The fire of my keen love will fan a flame
within Snegurochka's as yet untouched heart.
Mizgir and Lel!
Your promises having heard, I feel at ease
and shall await serenely Yarilo's Day.
When sunset slowly fades,
inside my royal sacred wood,
on this day,
we'll gather all for gaiety and singing.
A c t 3
(Rondo and Song of the Beaver) p.182 (Horovod i pesnya pro bobra) p.255
Far up on the distant plain,
far up on the distant plain,
linden tree so proudly stands,
linden tree so proudly stands.
Underneath the linden tree,
underneath the linden tree,
spreads a tent of dazzling white,
spreads a tent of dazzling white.
In it sits a maiden fair,
picks flowers for a wreath...
For whom will the wreath be wound?
(The Beaver Song) p.187 (Pesnya pro bobra) p.260
Beaver black as ink, in the river swimming, full to over-brimming.
Then on mossy bank, feeling rather better, makes a fine toilette.
Ai, loeli-loeli-loeli!
Ai, loeli-loeli-loeli, ai!
Can you guess for whom 'tis wound?
She has wound it for her love.
Beaver spies around,
when his fur is shaken, lest he be o'ertaken.
Ai, loeli-loeli-loeli! Ai, loeli-loeli-loeli!
Ai-ai, loeli-loeli! Ai-ai, loeli-loeli!
Beaver, 'tis too late,
hunters come to snare thee, hounds to bite and tear thee!
Ai, loeli-loeli-loeli!
Ai-ai-ai-ai... ai-ai-ai-ai...
Ai-ai-ai-ai... ai-ai-ai-ai!
Ai, loeli-loeli-loeli! Ai, loeli-loeli-loeli! Ai!
What lively merrymaking!
Those great in spirit will be in all things great, -
at work, they're truly working,
at song and dance, they spin 'till they fall over!
Only the honest and the good are able
to sing so loudly and to dance so boldly.
(Lell's 3rd Song) p.203 (Tretya pesnya Lelya) p.282
Long ago the clouds to thunder did say:
"Roll thy loudest, we will rain for a day,
so the spring be fair and summer last for long!
not a tender flower shall fade and die,
gath'ring berries pretty maids will hie,
and the gentle swains to follow them in throng!"
Lel mine,
Lel mine, loeli-loeli, Lel!
In the woods the maidens wander at ease,
plucking berries by the leaf laden trees,
while the distant vale with merry calls doth swell.
There is one ere long has vanished from sight,
Maidens weep and still their cries of delight:
"Could the hated wolf have eaten our young belle?"
Lel mine,
Lel mine, loeli-loeli, Lel!
Now by chance an aged man passed that way,
saw the weeping maids and stopped for to say:
"Silly maidens, are ye sure you are quite well?
She has vanished but to frighten you all,
will not answer tho' companions may call,
hid herself behind some bushes for a spell!"
Lel mine,
Lel mine, loeli-loeli, Lel!
I thank thee, Lel.
Now choose a pleasing maiden for thyself.
Let her, before the people gathered here,
kiss thee fondly to thank thee for thy song.
Take me for thine, take me.
Snegurochka, oh stay, a moment linger!
Wilt thou love, wilt thou love me one day? Reveal!
Be still, be still.
Be not so bold, Mizgir!
Am I distraught, with passion madly blinded?
A withered stump I take for my beloved!
and in the shining light of glow-worms' eyes
I seem to see Snegurochka's eyes gleaming.
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
'Till dawn of day pursue this phantom shadow!
Pursue apace thy love-disordered fancy!
Only at dawn will thy delusions leave thee.
A c t 4. Fairy Spring's Aria (p.239/242) Stsena Snegurochki s Vesnoyu (p.339/344)
Oh mother dear, with tears of angst and sorrow
thy poor, forsaken daughter calls on thee.
From thy quiet waters rise to hear the laments
and troubles of Snegurochka, thy child!
Snegurochka, beloved child,
what lackest thou, what is thy wish?
To love! I fain would love,
and yet I know not how;
my heart is cold.
Thy father's warnings dire thou hast forgotten.
Love shall lead thee to death untimely.
Then let me die;
to feel love for one moment
I'd cherish more than years of tears and angst.
Oh tender child, I hear thy prayer; the flame of love shall burn in thee.
My wreath of flowers doth conceal a spring of love force without limit.
Ah, mother, what is this?
What charm enfoldeth all the woodland glade!
The lake lures me,
the branches, too, entice me to their shade;
and the sky, mother, heaven!
With love's bewildering fragrance entirely hast thy soul been filled.
Thou shalt gift all thy love to the very first comer,
whoe'er it may be that thou meet'st.
But, precious daughter,
hide thy love from the jealous Sun, Yarilo!
Speed home along small paths through the dim forest,
beneath the leaf-shade, and avoid all meetings.
Farewell, my darling child.
What treasure indescribable I hold within my breast!
I'll take my gift along a footpath hidden;
my feet alone have walked upon it.
Snegurochka!
Snegurochka,
I feel my strength is fading;
in vain I searched all night.
Stay but a while!
Art thou afraid?
Oh, nay, Mizgir!
It is not fear that doth fill my heart!
But let me gaze upon thy face,
into the flame of thine eyes blazing!
Snegurochka! Speak more such joyous words, speak more,
and my delight shall know no limit!
But see!
But see! E'er brighter and more dire the East doth shine!
'Neath woodland shade,
oh lead thy bride, that rays of sunlight fall in vain!
(Entry of the Berendeys and Song of the Grain) p.270 () p.390
Golden grain we scattered far o'er the plain, Oi, Did-Lado, scattered far over the plain.
We will quickly trample the grain ye sow, Oi, Did-Lado, trample the grain that ye sow!
Say how will ye trample the grain we sow?
(Grain ye sow!) Oi, Did-Lado, trample the grain we sow?
We will drive our horses o'er...
...every field, We will catch your horses and...
hold them fast, oi Did-Lado, hold them fast! Oi, Did-Lado, wildly drive them over every field!
We will pay fine ransom to buy them back, Oi, Did-Lado, ransom to buy them back.
But what will ye offer to buy them back? Oi, Did-Lado, offer to buy them back?
Just a tender maiden we offer you (What will ye...)
(...offer us?) Oi, Did-Lado, just a maid we offer you!
(Offer us!) (Just a maid!) Then the number of us will be one more
Then the number of us will be one less. Be one more! Be one more! Oi, Did-Lado,
Oi, Did-Lado, be one less! Oi! be one more, be one more! Oi!
And may your bond be crowned with every blessing
of joy and of abundance!
Illustrious tsar,
thy desire was like a law unto me,
and so I have fulfilled it.
I would ask thee our union to bless!
Is it thy wish, oh maiden Snegurochka,
to place thy fate into thy bridegroom's hands?
Thy hand already promised,
how fares it with thy heart?
Oh tsar!
Ask me a hundred times,
a hundred times I'll tell thee that I love him.
(Snegurochka's solo in "Arioso and Chorus") p.278 p.399
What stirs in me?
Is't ecstasy or death?
What fire profound
doth penetrate my being!
Oh mother Spring,
I thank thee for this exultation,
I thank thee for this joy,
this honeyed gift of love.
A flood of yearning
and beauty quickly fills my soul.
Oh, Lel, once more
I hear the strain of shepherd's music;
And all my blood, my being,
is afire with melody.
My heart is melting
from the sweet tangs of love.
Girlfriends, I bid ye all farewell,
farewell, beloved bridegroom!
Farewell, my true love!
Oh love of mine,
I'm thine, I'm thine!
And with this glance,
receive my spirit!
Snegurochka, live!
What marvel here,
what strange, mysterious wonder!
Like falling snow she melted 'neath the sun.
And so the maid Snegurochka is gone...
But if she is no more,
then why should I live longer?
The child of Frost, the wintery Snegurochka, has perished.
But with this maid's miraculous departure,
henceforth Frost's interference shall be ended.
So let's cast out the final trace of coldness in our souls
and turn towards the Sun.
Oh merry Lel,
give song unto Yarilo!
(Final Chorus. Hymn to the Sun-God Yarilo) p.287 (Zaklyuchitelnyy hor. Pesn Yarile-Solntsu) p.412
Light and vigor, god Yarilo!
Resplendent Sun, light-bearer!
None in the world is fairer!
Light and vigor, god Yarilo,
resplendent Sun, light-bearer!
Resplendent Sun, light-bearer!
None in the world is fairer!
Light,
our
God,
grant to
us!
Grant to
us! (The End)
Original subs by Eus (Mar 2011), heavily revised by Niffiwan (Jan 2025), partly using translation of Edward Agate (1908)