2020.05.21.
Hold Up The Thief!
I used to love to go to old Odessa's taverns andTo fill with wine the glasses, faceted and also grand.
The wicked company of conmen gathered there,
And petty crooks amused themselves there till the dawn.
[Chorus:]
Hold up, hold up the thief - it's time to catch the smith,
But everyone knows you ain't thief until you're caught.
Along with 'Murka' they sang songs about Yaponchik1 deeds.
They also sang the song about the Sonya's knocker beads,
And they sang 'Bublichki'2 while petty band of hoodlums
Drank all night long and spent their fortunes to the last.
[Chorus]
With common folks we were behaving as considerate,
But with the coppers we were drinking a sweet Muscadet.
And even prosecutors with the judges didn't shun
To eat a freebie meal in our company.
[Chorus]
I was a forwarder for processed poultry and then some,
And on the side I traded hens for gold and platinum.
For dozen years we greased the palms at local precinct,
And so I boldly moved the goods through shady deals.
[Chorus]
But then one day they sent us very honest officer,
A CheKa3 agent Vergoff from investigations squad.
We all admitted our crimes, and our rogue band
Was shipped in railcars to Siberian prison camps.
[Chorus]
I served entire fifteen year term I was sentenced to,
And even now I burp the prison soup when I feel blue.
But it's impossible for me to quit my rogue craft,
So I'll engage in theft until the day I die.
[Chorus] - 4x