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Ljavon Volski is well known outside of Belarus. As a founder of such bands as N.R.M. or Mroja he was also part of past editions of our musical advent calendar, for example here. He is one of the most popular and influential personalities of Belarusian culture, singing only in Belarusian. The start of his career as a musician and writer dates back to the early 1980’s when his music was directed against the hegemonic Russian language and soviet culture.
Until today the 48 year-old Ljavon Volski struggles with the regime, which put him on a black list of artists deprived of the right to perform. Thanks to his cultural engagement on behalf of the Belarusian national traditions and consciousness, even Russian speaking citizens of Belarus began to sympathize with this rich branch of national tradition.
Thus it seems clear, how to interpret the metaphors of Grey blood. Yet it would be false to consider it a political statement exclusively. Life in the city – east and west – might be the issue dealt with here. Listen and convince yourself!
Intro: Lukas. Translation: Maria.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxGceiCcAiw
Grey Blood
Warm us up, ancient songs,
In our cold appartments,
On our frozen floors,
And our square metres
Warm us up, warm verses,
On our square metres.
In our private spaces
Our cooled down huts
(Chorus
It is pouring out –
The blood of the cities,
The grey blood,
The grey blood
The blood of the cities
Is pouring out.
Warm us up, dear thoughts about the sun,
In our districts,
In our gated areas,
In our concrete blocks.
(Chorus
It is pouring out –
The blood of the cities,
The grey blood,
The grey blood
The blood of the cities
Is pouring out.
But maybe we don’t need to be warmed up?
Shall everything be as it may…
The own coldness is nearer to the body,
Its square metres.
The own coldness is nearer to the body,
Its square metres.
The own coldness is nearer to the body,
The own coldness is nearer to the body,
The own coldness is nearer to the body,
The own coldness is nearer to the body…