Balaga
The Great Comet Original Cast Lyrics

Hey Balaga
Greetings, Balaga!

Ho Balaga
Greetings, Balaga!

Hey hey ho Balaga
Greetings, Balaga!

Hey hey Balaga
Greetings, Balaga!

The famous troika driver
Balaga is a well-known driver of a troika, a traditional Russian three-horse sled used for transportation.

Who's that madman flying at full gallop down the street
Balaga is an eccentric character who is driving a troika at high speeds through the streets of Moscow.

Who's that madman knocking people over
Balaga is driving recklessly and causing accidents and chaos in the streets.

Running people down
Balaga is not trying to avoid hitting people and horses in the street, and considers it more fun to run them down.

While his fine gentlemen
Balaga has passengers, who are wealthy and elite members of society.

Hold onto their seats
Balaga's passengers are holding on to their seats for dear life, as they are afraid of being thrown off the troika.

It's Balaga!
People recognize Balaga by name and reputation.

Driving mad at twelve miles an hour
Balaga considers twelve miles an hour to be a very high speed and is driving recklessly fast.

Comin' straight at you
Balaga is driving directly towards the listener or anyone in his path.

Get out my way, get out my way
Balaga is not willing to slow down or stop for anyone and wants people to get out of his way.

Lashin' my whip at horses and peasants
Balaga is whipping his horses and also using his whip to threaten and intimidate people in the street.

Risking skin and life twenty times a year
Balaga considers his job to be very risky, as he often puts his life in danger for the entertainment of others.

For my fine fine gentlemen
Balaga's passengers are wealthy and elite members of society.

Yessir hey ho yessir
Balaga is eagerly agreeing with his passengers and being submissive to them.

More than once!
Balaga is saying that he has had many wild and dangerous experiences while driving his troika.

From Tula to Moscow and back in just one night
Balaga has driven his troika from the city of Tula to Moscow in one night, which is a long distance to travel.

A narrow escape from a wild Cossack fight
Balaga had a close call with Cossack fighters, who are known for their riding skills and combat abilities.

They've beaten me and slapped me with their gloves
Balaga has been in physical altercations with people on multiple occasions.

Made me drunk on champagne, which I love!
Balaga enjoys drinking champagne and has been made drunk by his passengers on several occasions.

Who's that slowpoke we abuse with wild and tipsy shouts
Balaga is sometimes made fun of by his passengers for being too slow or uncool.

Who knows things that would get you sent straight to Siberia
Balaga possesses knowledge that is considered taboo or dangerous and could get someone sent to Siberia, a harsh and remote region of Russia.

If anyone found out
Balaga keeps his knowledge secret, as he knows it could have severe consequences.

Drinking and dancing at gypsy orgies
Balaga enjoys participating in wild gypsy parties, which include drinking and dancing.

Riding my horses into the ground
Balaga is reckless with his horses and often exhausts them to the point of collapse.

Driven you round with ladies on your laps
Balaga has driven his passengers around while they have had women sitting on their laps.

Taken you places not on any maps
Balaga has taken his passengers to secret and exotic destinations that are not found on any map.

Galloped faster than ordinary men would dare
Balaga considers himself to be a daring and skilled rider who can gallop at high speeds.

Jumped my troika right into the air
Balaga has taken his troika off of jumps or other obstacles, likely resulting in a thrilling and dangerous experience.

And I never ask for rubles
Balaga does not ask for payment for his services, which is unusual for a troika driver.

Except maybe once a year
Balaga only asks for payment from his passengers once per year, likely during a special event or occasion.

I don't do this for rubles
Balaga is not motivated by money, but rather by his desire for excitement and pleasure.

I do it cuz I like 'em!
Balaga enjoys the wild and dangerous experiences he has while driving his troika, and that is why he does it.

And we like Balaga too!
Balaga's passengers enjoy his company and wild driving style, despite the risks involved.

Whoa...
The song ends with an exclamation of excitement or surprise.

Whoa...
The song ends with an exclamation of excitement or surprise.