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This is a song from a short animation film called “Cheburashka and Crocodile Gena“, which is very popular in Russia. Cheburashka, a cute little character, appears later in the episode. Gena feels lonely on his birthday and sings to himself this song. My (versed and literal ) translations of the song are below. Enjoy this proof that Russians can make more heartwarming things than rockets and tanks. Poetic (versed and metered) translation Let pedestrians toddle And the rainwater gurgle As it streams underneath their feet Let pedestrians wonder Why this day full of thunder Makes me look so jolly upbeat. Look, I play my concertina As they pass me on their way. It would make me the total winner If my birthday was EVERY day! A magician, no whopper! Shall alight his light blue chopper And will do magic tricks for a laugh. “Happy Birthday!” he’ll cheer And, I hope, makes appear Hundred Eskimo Pies with a puff. Look, I play my concertina As they pass me on their way. It would make me the total winner If my birthday was EVERY day! Literal (no verse or meter) translation Run awkwardly, Pedestrians over puddles, As rainwater runs a river On the pavement. And it is not clear for the passerby Why I am so merry On on this rainy day Well, I play my concertina In front of the passerby. Regretfully, my birthday is only once a year! All of a sudden, on a light-blue helicopter A magician will alight And will show a movie for free! He will congratulate me with my Birthday And, maybe, will leave me a present Of five hundred eskimo pies! Well, I play my concertina In front of the passerby. Regretfully, my birthday is only once a year!
