Lyrics and English translation Đorđe Balašević - Ladjarska Serenata

Ladjarska Serenata

Da od silnih briga Bog posustane
Pa me zamoli da ga odmenim
Ne bi bilo lepo da mu, dok ne ustane
Svet na bolje promenim

Ipak, kad već držim žezlo čudesno
Zavar′o bih trag gromom plamenim
A dotle bih reku skren'o malko udesno
Starim drumom kamenim

Pa da kroz moj salaš lađe prolaze
I od đerma još stanu trubiti
Da ti bar s basamka gledam obraze
Kad ih ne smem ljubiti

Pa da me u službu sam car pri′vati
Teget mundir knap... Dugmad – dukati
Da se, kad medaljon kreneš pokazivati
Nemaš čime brukati

Pa da i tvoj baba podavije rep
I da drugi list počne listati
Jel'te, gospon-matroz, možel' ovaj šlep
Pod vaš oraj pristati?

Malen je sobičak srce bekrije
Jednu jedinu može primiti
Al bez brige... Sve da santa nebo prekrije
Imaš di prezimiti

Sad utuli fenjer... Sakri šibicu
Mesečev ću prah tek da istrunim
Da u mraku lovim zlatnu ribicu
Da joj želju ispunim

Bargee's Serenade

Should the good Lord grow weary of all his urgent cares,
And ask that I should grant him respite,
To him, while he rests and recovers,
The world, for the better, I would reshape.

Yet, should I hold the magic wand,
I'd strike a flaming path with thunder,
And divert the river a little to the right,
By the old stone road.

So that through my village barges might pass,
And their horns would sound from afar,
That from their gangplanks I might watch your face,
Though I may not kiss you.

I would have the tzar employ me personally,
And grant me a uniform of fine cloth and buttons of ducats.
So that, when you show your medal,
You should not have to blush in shame.

So that even your father would be humbled
And would turn to a different page in the ledger:
My lord sailor, would this towboat
Be allowed to moor at your pier?

Small is my room, the heart of a vagrant,
It can hold but one.
But fear not, even if snow should cover the heavens,
You shall have a place to stay.

Now put out your lantern, hide your match,
By moonlight shall I pluck my guitar,
And in the darkness catch a golden fish,
And grant its wish to you.