Uploaded May 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Tribute to the lost souls who are not forgotten and to Dimitri Hvorostovsky(†) whose talent inspired me to do this video!
There are at least 27 million reasons to sing this song on this day in May in order to commemorate the devastating human sacrifice the Russian people have given during WWII.
May 9, 1945 is the day of victory. This year it is being marked for the 75nd time.
Thank you, Russian people for being our friends and looking beyond the veil. This is my musical tribute to you.
*****************************************************
Cranes (Zhuravli)
Sometimes it seems to me each fallen soldier
That never came back home from fields of gore
In fact did never perish, as they told you
But turned into a crane as white as snow
And ever since those days in their due season
We've seen them soaring high across the sky
With distant voices giving us a reason
To stand in tears and watch them flying by
A wedge of cranes is fading in the distance
So far away I can no longer see
When I run out of days of my existence
I hope those cranes will find a gap for me
That I may soar above my pain and anguish
And join their ranks as many years ago
Recalling all their names in my new language
And names of those whom I have left below
Sometimes it seems to me each fallen soldier
That never came back home from fields of gore
In fact did never perish, as they told you
But turned into a crane as white as snow
Vy ne zabyty = Ihr seid nicht vergessen
***************************************************
The displayed translation is so good you can sing the English lyrics and it will fit and rhyme. With that being said the translation is not literal but a very cleverly arranged interpretation that can be sung along to.
More background information about the song:
ruslovo.blogspot.de/2011/05/zhuravli-song.html
***************************************************
Originally uploaded on May 9, 2017 to mark the 72nd anniversary of Victory Day.
This emotional song is a cultural monument and a powerful statement against fascism and war.
***************************************************
MAKING OF:
The daylight part of this video was recorded by my son Giuliano in an open field close to my house and the night time shots is a selfie video in my car. We both have no professional filming experience and used first shots. No retakes and no professional editing was done to make this video.
The background music was produced in my home recording studio with a Korg VS-1 and a digital Steinway and if you also want to sing this song you can download the playback (minus) here: youtube.com/watch?v=PuWPARaQrYk
The footage of the beautiful cranes (zhuravli) is courtesy of the fabulous photographer Ruedi Abbühl, youtube.com/watch?v=spQtXYLz2hs
Thank you very much!
***
This is also dedicated to Dmitri Hvorostovsky! May he recover soon and fully!!!
Audio info:
Orchestral Percussion: Live samples
Bass: GarageBand
Strings: Korg SV-1
Piano: The Grandeur (Steinway)
Recording Software: Cool Edit Pro 2.0
Video info:
Camera: Iphone 5
Video Software: Premiere Pro CC 2015
Filming: Giuliano Liebert
Language Coach: Rimma Lednova
Inspired by Dmitri Hvorostovsky
Tribute to the lost souls who are not forgotten and to Dimitri Hvorostovsky(†) whose talent inspired me to do this video!
There are at least 27 million reasons to sing this song on this day in May in order to commemorate the devastating human sacrifice the Russian people have given during WWII.
May 9, 1945 is the day of victory. This year it is being marked for the 75nd time.
Thank you, Russian people for being our friends and looking beyond the veil. This is my musical tribute to you.
*****************************************************
Cranes (Zhuravli)
Sometimes it seems to me each fallen soldier
That never came back home from fields of gore
In fact did never perish, as they told you
But turned into a crane as white as snow
And ever since those days in their due season
We've seen them soaring high across the sky
With distant voices giving us a reason
To stand in tears and watch them flying by
A wedge of cranes is fading in the distance
So far away I can no longer see
When I run out of days of my existence
I hope those cranes will find a gap for me
That I may soar above my pain and anguish
And join their ranks as many years ago
Recalling all their names in my new language
And names of those whom I have left below
Sometimes it seems to me each fallen soldier
That never came back home from fields of gore
In fact did never perish, as they told you
But turned into a crane as white as snow
Vy ne zabyty = Ihr seid nicht vergessen
***************************************************
The displayed translation is so good you can sing the English lyrics and it will fit and rhyme. With that being said the translation is not literal but a very cleverly arranged interpretation that can be sung along to.
More background information about the song:
ruslovo.blogspot.de/2011/05/zhuravli-song.html
***************************************************
Originally uploaded on May 9, 2017 to mark the 72nd anniversary of Victory Day.
This emotional song is a cultural monument and a powerful statement against fascism and war.
***************************************************
MAKING OF:
The daylight part of this video was recorded by my son Giuliano in an open field close to my house and the night time shots is a selfie video in my car. We both have no professional filming experience and used first shots. No retakes and no professional editing was done to make this video.
The background music was produced in my home recording studio with a Korg VS-1 and a digital Steinway and if you also want to sing this song you can download the playback (minus) here: youtube.com/watch?v=PuWPARaQrYk
The footage of the beautiful cranes (zhuravli) is courtesy of the fabulous photographer Ruedi Abbühl, youtube.com/watch?v=spQtXYLz2hs
Thank you very much!
***
This is also dedicated to Dmitri Hvorostovsky! May he recover soon and fully!!!
Audio info:
Orchestral Percussion: Live samples
Bass: GarageBand
Strings: Korg SV-1
Piano: The Grandeur (Steinway)
Recording Software: Cool Edit Pro 2.0
Video info:
Camera: Iphone 5
Video Software: Premiere Pro CC 2015
Filming: Giuliano Liebert
Language Coach: Rimma Lednova
Inspired by Dmitri Hvorostovsky
