The Chain Gang
Translation* from the Russian by Wilbur Skeels (2004)
Original by Aleksey K. Tolstoy
(see octavo CQ2324)
Note: The Cyrillic text is not given here because most browsers cannot display the font. Please contact the
publisher if you have a special interest in the Russian text, some of which can be read on the sample pages.

Set has the sun behind the hill, The golden grass now is gone, The sounds of the shackles ring out still, The dust rises up from the road. Shaven-headed they shuffle forward, With heavy steps and slow. With gloomy brow they make their way homeward, With hearts full of sorrow they go. Come on, brothers, strike up a song now, Forget all your troubles, For probably all such misfortune Was destined for us long ago. The guards are striding silently, They take the prisoners away. Set has the sun behind the hill, The golden grass now is gone. The sounds of the shackles ring out still, The dust rises up from the road.

* © Copyright, Cantus Quercus Press, 2004. All rights reserved.

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