pussy riot putin lights up the fires
Following the disappointing news that Russian punk band Pussy Riot has been found guilty and sentenced to two years of jail time, there is a bit of bright news. The band managed to release a new–and very well timed–song today. The track is fittingly called “Putin Lights Up The Fires”, very obviously in reference to the Russian Prime Minister. Stream it below. Since I’m guessing you don’t speak Russian either, I’ll keep my eye posted for lyric translations (none on Google yet).
Update: A commenter was kind enough to leave the translation of lyrics to the song. Here they are:

This state may be stronger than time in jail.
The more arrests, the happier it is.
Every arrest is carried out with love for the sexist
Who botoxed his cheeks and pumped his chest and abs.

But you can’t nail us in the coffin.
Throw off the yoke of former KGB!

Putin is lighting the fires of revolution
He’s bored and scared of sharing silence with the people
With every execution: the stench of rotten ash
With every long sentence: a wet dream

The country is going, the country is going into the streets boldly
The country is going, the country is going to bid farewell to the regime
The country is going, the country is going, like a feminist wedge
And Putin is going, Putin is going to say goodbye like a sheep

Arrest the whole city for May 6th
Seven years isn’t enough, give us 18!
Forbid us to scream, walk and curse!
Go and marry Father Lukashenko

One thought on “Listen: Pussy Riot “Putin Lights Up the Fires”

  1. I posted mine on the Guardian comments page:-

    In jail, the government is mightier than time (itself)
    The more arrests – the more happiness
    Every arrest (is made) with love toward the sexist (pig)
    With pumped cheeks, pumped chest and abs

    But we cannot be shut up in a box
    Overthrow the members of the KGB, (do it) better and more often

    Putin ignites the fires of the Revolution
    He is bored and frightened to be with other people in silence
    What is not severe punishment is rotted fruit (in his mouth)
    What is not a sentence of many years is a matter for the police

    Chorus:
    The country is going, the country is going into the streets with daring
    The country is going, the country is going to farewell a regime
    The country is going, the country is going with a feminist spearhead
    But Putin is going, Putin is going to take his leave like a beast

    Arrest the whole city for May the 6th
    Seven years is too little – give us eighteen
    Forbid us to shout, curse and go out,
    (Better) take Father Lukashenko for your (wedded) wife

    Chorus (repeated)

    The Guardian itself provided the following translation:-

    This state may be stronger than time in jail.
    The more arrests, the happier it is.
    Every arrest is carried out with love for the sexist
    Who botoxed his cheeks and pumped his chest and abs.

    But you can’t nail us in the coffin.
    Throw off the yoke of former KGB!

    Putin is lighting the fires of revolution
    He’s bored and scared of sharing silence with the people
    With every execution: the stench of rotten ash
    With every long sentence: a wet dream

    The country is going, the country is going into the streets boldly
    The country is going, the country is going to bid farewell to the regime
    The country is going, the country is going, like a feminist wedge
    And Putin is going, Putin is going to say goodbye like a sheep

    Arrest the whole city for May 6th
    Seven years isn’t enough, give us 18!
    Forbid us to scream, walk and curse!
    Go and marry Father Lukashenko

    See http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/20/pussy-riot-new-single-lyrics

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