Garik Sukachev is one of the most illustrious frontmen in the Russian rock … Read Full Bio ↴Garik Sukachev is one of the most illustrious frontmen in the Russian rock scene, bandleader of Brigada S and Neprikasayemiye, with several side projects under his belt, plus he’s a director and a writer. Critics state that what he does has something in common with Tom Waits’ works. “Garik manages to evoke the very special atmosphere of the Soviet towns and cities’ outskirts. Each of his gigs is hardly possible to be called a regular one. He is not one of those who play regular gigs, he always gets two hundred percent out of what he has. He lives through every sound and note as if they have struck him for the first time.

For biography in Russian see: http://www.zvezdi.ru/catalog/S/gsukachev.html

Песенка об Арбате
Гарик Сукачёв Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ты течешь, как река. Странное название!
И прозрачен асфальт, как в реке вода

Ах, Арбат, мой Арбат,
ты - моё призвание, ты - и радость моя и моя беда
Ах, Арбат, мой Арбат,
ты - моё призвание, ты - и радость моя и моя беда

Пешеходы твои - люди невеликие,
Каблучками стучат - по делам спешат

Ах, Арбат, мой Арбат, ты - моя религия, мостовые твои подо мной лежат

Ах, Арбат, мой Арбат, ты - моя религия, мостовые твои подо мной лежат

От любови твоей вовсе не излечишься,
Сорок тысяч других мостовых любя

Ах, Арбат, мой Арбат,
ты - моё отечество, никогда до конца не пройти тебя

Ах, Арбат, мой Арбат,
ты - моё отечество, никогда до конца не пройти тебя

Overall Meaning

In "Песенка об Арбате," Гарик Сукачёв sings about the Arbat, a street in Moscow known for its history, culture, and vibrant atmosphere. The first two lines describe the street's appearance, comparing it to a flowing river that has transparent asphalt in place of water. The repetition of the phrase, "Ah, Arbat, my Arbat," highlights the singer's deep attachment to the street. He describes it as his calling and both his happiness and sorrow.

The third stanza talks about the people who walk on the Arbat, who the singer sees as small and in a hurry, represented by the sound of their click-clacking high heels. The Arbat's sidewalks are, figuratively, the singer's personal religion, with the singer feeling like the cobblestones are beneath his feet.

Finally, the singer proclaims his love for the Arbat, saying that even if he loves other streets, he will never love them as much as his beloved Arbat. He ends the song by calling it his homeland and recognizing he will never fully traverse it.

Overall, the song expresses a deep emotional connection to the Arbat, a street that represents home, identity, and inspiration to the singer.

Line by Line Meaning

Ты течешь, как река. Странное название!
The flow of Arbat is compared to a river, although it is a strange name for it.

И прозрачен асфальт, как в реке вода
The asphalt is as clear as the water in the river.

Ах, Арбат, мой Арбат, ты - моё призвание, ты - и радость моя и моя беда
Arbat, my Arbat, you are my calling, my joy, and my sorrow.

Пешеходы твои - люди невеликие, Каблучками стучат - по делам спешат
Your pedestrians are insignificant people rushing around in high heels, carrying out their business.

Ах, Арбат, мой Арбат, ты - моя религия, мостовые твои подо мной лежат
Arbat, my Arbat, you are my religion, and I feel like I'm walking on top of your pavements.

От любови твоей вовсе не излечишься, Сорок тысяч других мостовых любя
You can never get over your love for Arbat, even if you fall in love with forty thousand other pavements.

Ах, Арбат, мой Арбат, ты - моё отечество, никогда до конца не пройти тебя
Arbat, my Arbat, you are my homeland, and I can never walk you to the end.

Writer(s): булат окуджава

Contributed by Elizabeth N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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