Vladimir Vysotsky — The city romance

I happened to be walking around

  And I hurt two people by chance,

  They took me to militia grounds

  Where I saw her... and broke down at once.

  I knew not what on earth she was doing there,

  She was probably getting a pass.

  She was beautiful, lovely and fair...

  I decided to search out the lass.

  I just followed her, walking behind her,

  She wouldn't talk to a bully, I thought.

  Then I made up my mind to invite her

  To the nearest restaurant. Why not?

  As we walked people smiled at my pretty one,

  I was furious, my mind on the blink!

  I just smote the face of a weird man

  'Cause he dared to give her a wink.

  She found the caviar delicious,

  And I didn't grudge the expense,

  I ordered smash hits to musicians,

  And the last tune they played was "The Cranes".

  I made promises, showing my feeling,

  I repeated one thing the whole night:

  "For five days I haven't been stealing,

  Believe me, my love at first sight."

  I said that my life had been ruined,

  Blew my nose and wiped tears from my eyes,

  And she said: "I believe you, yours truly,

  You can take me at a reasonable price."

  I slapped her on the face in despair,

  I was boiling like crazy inside.

  Now I knew what she really was doing there,

  In militia, my love at first sight.

  1962