From beyond the wooded island
To the river wide and free
Proudly sailed the arrow-breasted

Ships of Cossack yeomanry.

On the first is Stenka Razin

With his princess by his side
Drunken holds in marriage revels
With his beauteous young bride


From behind there comes a murmur
He has left his sword to woo;

One short night and Stenka Razin
Has become a woman, too.


Stenka Razin hears the murmur
Of his discontented band
And his lovely Persian princess

He has circled with his hand.

His dark brows are drawn together

As the waves of anger rise;
And the blood comes rushing swiftly
To his piercing jet black eyes


I will give you all you ask for
Head and heart and life and hand.

And his voice rolls out like thunder
Out across the distant land.


Volga, Volga, Mother Volga
Wide and deep beneath the sun,
You have never seen such a present

From the Cossacks of the Don.

So that peace may reign forever

In this band so free and brave
Volga, Volga, Mother Volga
Make this lovely girl a grave.


Now, with one swift mighty motion
He has raised his bride on high

And has cast her where the waters
Of the Volga roll and sigh.


Dance, you fools, and let's be merry
What is this that's in your eyes?
Let us thunder out a chanty

To the place where beauty lies.

From beyond the wooded island

To the river wide and free
Proudly sailed the arrow-breasted
Ships of Cossack yeomanry.