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
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