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MP3 5.9 MB • 128 kbps • 6:24
Story behind the song
Scene 15. Synopsis
Scene 15 opens on the men’s ward, with Dontsova and Vera Gangart calculating Ahmadjan’s total radiation dosage. After doing the sums, Dontsova tells Ahmadjan that he is being discharged, and Ahmadjan wastes no time in running downstairs to find the discharge nurse, Mita.
Rusanov tells Dontsova and Gangart that he is tired of the treatment, and asks if the treatment can be finished while he is home.
Vadim, who is standing on the main floor, sings the first of seven stanzas of the Esenin poem, “We’ll depart this world.”
Rusanov thanks the doctors, and admits he was wrong at first. Dontsova and Gangart prod Rusanov’s neck and collarbone, as Vadim sings the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth stanzas of the Esenin poem. Rusanov says that they’ve cured him, and that there’s nothing there to be prodded for. Dontsova says that they will give Rusanov another injection or two, and then release him – but he must be careful to come in for check-ups every month. She turns to Oleg, and asks how he is doing. Oleg says he is not doing well, and wants the treatment to end. Dontsova examines Oleg, and agrees to give him time off for rest. Vadim concludes the Esenin poem.
Lyrics
Scene 15. The Last Rounds
(The Men’s Ward. Dontsova is on her last rounds with Vera Gangart.)
(They stand by Ahmadjan’s bed, adding up his radiation count).
Dontsova
We’re discharging you.
(Ahmadjan quickly leaves the room, goes down the stairs to find Mita).
Rusanov
You know something comrades. I’m tired of these injections. I’ve had more than twenty of them, isn’t that enough, eh? Maybe I could finish off the treatment at home?
Vadim, (from the main floor)
We’ll depart this world for ever, surely,
To repose in peace and quite. Oh, my Lord!
Maybe, I shall also have to duly
Pack my things preparing for the road.
Rusanov
I mean to say, doctor, I know I ought to thank you. It’s true, I was wrong in the beginning.
(Dontsova and Gangart prod him hard in the neck and around the collarbone)
Vadim
Oh, my birch-tree woods! Amazing pictures!
Oh, my dear land! My sandy plains!
In the face of crowds of mortal creatures
I’m unable to conceal my pains.
I’ve been filled with love and admiration
For the things embodying the soul.
Peace to aspens, lost in contemplation,
Spreading branches, staring at the shoal.
Rusanov
You’ve cured me, and I thank you. Honestly, there’s nothing there!
Dontsova
So much the better, but you must be very careful and look after yourself, Comrade Rusanov. We’ll give you another injection or two and then we’ll probably discharge you. But you’ll have to come every month for a checkup. And if you notice anything yourself, come along immediately.
I have thought in silence days and hours,
I have written songs. And I don’t grieve.
I am happy in this gloomy world of ours
To have had a chance to breathe and live.
9 seconds (trumpet)
I am happy, I have kissed a woman,
I have slept in grass and flower-bed,
And I never, like a decent human,
Hit a dog or kitten in the head.
The unknown land! No blooming pictures!
No amazing fields of wheat, so fine!
Thus before the crowds of mortal creatures
I have always shivers down the spine.
Dontsova
How are you?
Oleg
Not so good. I want you to let me go.
Dontsova
It’s your decision, you do what you want. I’ll give you some advice. It’ll be many more years before you can have a normal family life, because remember, your case was terribly neglected. You came to us very late.
Oleg
Er, yes.
Dontsova
I’ll tell you what we’ll do, Kostoglotov. We’ll have to give you some time off for a rest. We’ll prescribe you a three-months supply of Sinestrol Be sure and see you take it at home.
Vadim
In that land, I know, there won’t be any
Fields of wheat that shine like gold at night
That’s the reason why I love those many
Living with me in this country-side.
(Esenin, 1924)
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