Long and weary is the way,
But if my health permits, I may
Come and visit him some day.
What is there to see out there?
Is a squirrel a sight so rare?
Or are emeralds and gold
Such a wonder to behold?
Though your story may be true,
It is neither strange nor new.
I know of a greater wonder:
There's a place where, like thunder,
Mighty waves are heard to roar,
As they sweep across the shore.
In their wake, for all to see
Thirty knights appear and three.
All are tall and all are fair,
All are brave beyond compare,
And, what's more, of face alike.
Did you ever hear the like?
Leading them upon that shore
Is their elder, Chernomor.
That's a wondrous sight, say I,
And the pleasure for the eye.
You cursed insect, just you wait!
- Catch it!
- Squash it with all your weight!
Greetings, Prince, but tell me why
Do you frown, my dear, and sigh?
There's a wonder, I confess,
That I'm longing to possess.
Tell me, Prince, what is this
wonder?
There's a place where,
Loud as thunder,
Mighty waves are heard to roar,
As they sweep across the shore.
In their wake, for all to see
Thirty knights appear and three.
Do not worry; this may be
Strange for you, but not for me.
For these stalwart knights, Guidon,
Are my brothers, every one.
Do not grieve, go home and wait.
You will meet them at your gate.
By Tsarevna Swan's request
And at her express behest,
We have come from out the sea
Your fair city's guards to be.
Henceforth, from the ocean blue
We will always come to you,
Every day our watch to stand
By your lofty walls so grand.
Now, however, we must go -
We're unused to land, you know.
But, I promise, we'll return.
What have you for sale today?
Whither are you bound now, say?
We have sailed the seven seas.
Selling horses, Prince Guidon,
Stallions from the steppes of Don.
Now we're overdue, you know,
And we still have far to go:
Past the Island of Buyan,
To the realm of Tsar Saltan.
May the winds, sirs, favour you
As you sail the oceans blue
To the realm of Tsar Saltan.
And from Prince Guidon, from me,
Greet his gracious Majesty.
Gracious Tsar, do not delay!
To your palace hasten, pray.
Another ship from overseas
Has just arrived, Your Majesty.
Tell me now, my masters fair,
Did you venture far, and where?
Overseas, are all things well?
Of what wonders can you tell?
We have sailed the seven seas.
All is well where we have been.
Once we saw a wondrous scene:
On an island far away
Stands a city grand and gay.
There, with dawn, comes a great
new wonder:
Like a mighty peal of thunder
Waves are heard to pound and roar,
As they sweep across the shore.
In their wake, for all to see,
Thirty knights appear and three.
All of face alike, and led,
Marching proudly at their head,
By their elder, Chernomor.
Watch they keep in peace and war
O'er that distant island fair.
'Tis a wondrous sight and rare.
Prince Guidon's their ruler; he
Sends his compliments to thee.
Long and weary is the way,
But, if my health permits, I may
Come and visit him some day.
What is this you're telling me?
Nothing strange in this I see.
Knights in armour shining bright
Are an ordinary sight.
Be that true, or but a lie -
What's so wondrous in it? Oh my!
Stranger things exit. There lives,
Far away beyond the seas,
A princess who is, they say,
Lovely as the light of day,
Dazzling as the midnight moon,
Radiant as the sun at noon.
In her hair a crescent beams,
On her brow a bright star gleams!
She is fair and sweet of face,
And is full of wondrous grace.
And her tender voice does seem
Like the music of a stream.
That's a wonder, now, for you.
And, dear sir, I swear 'tis true!
Help! For God's sake, help me, oh!
Hurry up and don't be slow!
Don't, I beg you, let it go!
Catch it! Hold it! Kill it! Oh!
Wait, you nasty insect, stay!
- Wait!
- It's flown fast away!
Birch tree,
Birch tree,
Birch tree white!
Whither do you bend?
Whither do you bend?
Whither do you wend?