Soviet song — TTT 29 Mar
Sunday, March 29th, 2009This weekend I finally finished reading a book that I had been plugging away at for several weeks. It was a combination of anecdotes, numerical facts, and strategic moves about, primarily, the Soviet efforts to enter Germany and take Berlin at the end of World War II.
One of the most feared weapons of the USSR was the “Katyusha”, a set of rockets which were very mobile because of being installed on the back of trucks. They received their moniker from a popular song about “Little Katie” who misses her love during wartime.
Apple and pear trees were a-blooming,
Mist (was) creeping on the river.
Katyusha set out on the banks,
On the steep and lofty bank.
She was walking, singing a song
About a grey steppe eagle,
About her true love,
Whose letters she was keeping.
Oh you song! Little song of a maiden,
Head for the bright sun.
And reach for the soldier on the far-away border
Along with greetings from Katyusha.
Let him remember an ordinary girl,
And hear how she sings,
Let him preserve the Motherland,
Same as Katyusha preserves their love.
Here is how the Katyusha rockets sang during the advance: