Stasiek Wielanek - Murka (English translation)

Stasiek Wielanek – Murka

English translation

Polish

Original lyrics

Murka

Hen w odesskim porcie banda grasowała,

Nieuchwytna od szeregu lat.

Z policyjnych obław wychodziła cało,

Nigdy nie ponosząc żadnych strat.

Nocą, kiedy miasto z cicha usypiało,

Banda pruła zamki wielkich kas,

Albo karawany napadała śmiało,

Z łupem odchodziła w gęsty las.

W bandzie żyła Murka - dziewczę czarnookie,

Nie wiadomo skąd ją przygnał los.

Lecz banda czuwała nad jej każdym krokiem,

W bandzie żyła od najmłodszych lat

Raz, gdy po robocie na kieliszek wina

Do tawerny weszliśmy we trzech.

Tam śpiewała Murka przy dźwiękach pianina,

Wkoło Murki dźwięczał tylko śpiew

Gdy nas zobaczyła zbladła i zadrżała

A jej uśmiech nagle gdzieś już zgasł.

Wszystko było jasne - Murka nas zdradziła,

Z Murką przy stoliku siedział szpieg.

W ręku błysnął nagan, wystrzał targnął ucho,

Murka się zwaliła z krzesła w dół.

Głową uderzyła o podłogę głucho,

Krew bryznęła z Murki aż na stół.

Żegnaj, podłe dziewczę, policyjna suko,

Zdradę zapłaciłaś życiem swym.

Banda nie przebacza, kula jest zapłatą,

Zdradę można zatrzeć tylko krwią.

Tam w odesskim porcie jest mogiła mała,

Opuszczona pośród starych drzew.

Tam swą czarną Murkę banda pochowała

I po Murce został tylko śpiew.

Submitted by

Interpres on 2025-09-26

Submitter's comments:

The song "Murka," performed by Stasiek Wielanek, is not only a musical adaptation of a well-known Russian ballad, but also an example of his distinctive style, which combines urban folklore, dialect, and the atmosphere of pre-war Warsaw with elements of Eastern culture.

What's interesting about this version?
An adaptation of a Russian hit: "Мурка" is a popular Russian song from the 1920s, associated with the underworld of Odessa and St. Petersburg. Wielanek adapts it to Polish soil, retaining the melody but adding a local flavor.

English

Translation

Murka

Far off in Odessa’s port, a gang once ruled the night,

Elusive through the years, always out of sight.

Police raids came and went, but they slipped away,

Never losing men, never forced to pay.

When the city slept beneath the hush of stars,

They cracked the safes of banks behind steel bars.

Or struck the caravans with fearless might,

Then vanished with the loot into the forest’s night.

Among them lived Murka-dark-eyed, fierce and proud,

No one knew from where she came, or how.

But the gang watched over her every move,

She’d been one of them since childhood’s groove.

One night, after work, we stopped for wine,

Just three of us, to rest and feel fine.

And there was Murka, singing soft and low,

Her voice like velvet, her eyes aglow.

But when she saw us, she paled and froze,

Her smile faded-the truth exposed.

It was clear as day-Murka had betrayed,

And at her side, a spy had stayed.

A Nagant flashed, the shot rang loud,

Murka fell, no scream, no sound.

Her head hit hard against the floor,

Her blood spilled red across the table’s core.

Farewell, vile girl, you dog in blue,

You paid for treason, your life was due.

The gang forgives no traitor’s breath,

Only blood can pay that debt.

There in Odessa’s port, beneath old trees,

A lonely grave sways in the breeze.

That’s where the gang laid Murka down,

And all that’s left-her song’s soft sound.

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Submitted by

Interpres on 2025-09-26

Author's comments:

Wielanek adapts it to Polish soil, retaining the melody but adding a local flavor.

-> Warsaw gang in a Russian rhythm:
His rendition of "Murka" sounds like a tale from a Warsaw dive, with dialect, humor, and drama. It's a unique cultural mix: Russian romance meets Polish urban folklore.
-> Narrative Style:
Wielanek often takes on the role of a storyteller-his "Murka" is not just a song, but a theatrical miniature, with a clear story, emotions, and a punchline.
-> Maintaining the Original Tension:
Despite the Polish interpretation, the song retains the dark atmosphere of the original-betrayal, revenge, love, and death. It's a crime ballad with soul.

Part of a larger project: The song appeared on the album "City Boy 2" (2006), which contains many songs inspired by the urban folklore, dialect, and culture of pre-war Warsaw.

Comments

Interpres

Fri, 26/09/2025 - 14:56

What's interesting about this version?

An adaptation of a Russian hit: "Мурка" is a popular Russian song from the 1920s, associated with the underworld of Odessa and St. Petersburg.
Wielanek adapts it to Polish soil, retaining the melody but adding a local flavor.
-> Warsaw gang in a Russian rhythm:
His rendition of "Murka" sounds like a tale from a Warsaw dive, with dialect, humor, and drama. It's a unique cultural mix: Russian romance meets Polish urban folklore. -> Narrative Style:
Wielanek often takes on the role of a storyteller—his "Murka" is not just a song, but a theatrical miniature, with a clear story, emotions, and a punchline.
-> Maintaining the Original Tension:
Despite the Polish interpretation, the song retains the dark atmosphere of the original—betrayal, revenge, love, and death. It's a crime ballad with soul.

Part of a larger project: The song appeared on the album "City Boy 2" (2006), which contains many songs inspired by the urban folklore, dialect, and culture of pre-war Warsaw.