A Russian Birthday

In Russia the traditional and widely spread “Happy birthday to you” is not so common. We have our own song which every children learn at an early age, and which is played on the occasion. The song is called “Crocodile Gena’s song” and comes from one of the most famous animation here “Cheburashka”.

Crocodile Gena works in a zoo as a crocodile, and he has for best friend Cheburashka. Among his multiple talents, he plays accordion and sings. On a rainy day, which happens to be his birthday, he sings the following song:

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Пусть бегут неуклюже	Let the pedestrians run clumsily
Пешеходы по лужам,	Through the puddles,
А вода — по асфальту рекой.	And the water runs like a river on the asphalt.
И неясно прохожим	And it's not clear for passerby
В этот день непогожий,	With such a bad weather,
Почему я весёлый такой.	Why I am so happy.

Я играю на гармошке	I'm playing the accordion
У прохожих на виду…	For all the passerby to see...
К сожаленью, день рожденья	Unfortunately, birthdays
Только раз в году.	Only come once a year.

Прилетит вдруг волшебник	A magician suddenly arrives by the air
В голубом вертолёте	In his blue helicopter
И бесплатно покажет кино.	And show a film for free.
С днем рожденья поздравит	He wishes me an happy birthday
И, наверно, оставит	And of course, he leaves me
Мне в подарок пятьсот "эскимо".	500 ice creams as a present.

Я играю на гармошке	I'm playing the accordion
У прохожих на виду…	For all the passerby to see...
К сожаленью, день рожденья	Unfortunately, birthdays
Только раз в году.	Only come once a year.