Recent measures from the Russian government to ban smoking from public places in a near future are supported by a majority of Russians. According to some surveys, 76% of the people asked are against smoking in public places and nearly 80% think tobacco advertising should be banned.
And yet, lately while wandering in Moscow streets, I happened to hear the song “Пачка сигарет” (A pack of cigarettes) from legendary rock band “Кино” (Kino) quite a lot. Maybe, it's simply a coincidence, but it gave me the idea to introduce you with this song.
Я сижу и смотрю в чужое небо из чужого окна | I sit down and look at the strange sky from someone's window |
И не вижу ни одной знакомой звезды. | And I can't see one friendly start. |
Я ходил по всем дорогам и туда, и сюда, | I roamed the roads back and forth, |
Обернулся – и не смог разглядеть следы. | Turning back, I couldn't see a footprint. |
Но если есть в кармане пачка сигарет, | But if there's a pack of cigarettes in my pocket, |
Значит все не так уж плохо на сегодняшний день. | It means the day was not that bad. |
И билет на самолёт с серебристым крылом, | And an airplane ticket for a silver-wing plane, |
Что, взлетая, оставляет земле лишь тень. | That, taking off, is leaving just a shadow behind. |
И никто не хотел быть виноватым без вина, | And nobody wanted to be found guilty without wine, |
И никто не хотел руками жар загребать, | And nobody wanted to put his hand in the fire, |
А без музыки на миру смерть не красна, | And without music in the world death is not picturesque, |
А без музыки не хочется пропадать. | And without music I wouldn't want to die. |
Но если есть в кармане пачка сигарет, | But if there's a pack of cigarettes in my pocket, |
Значит все не так уж плохо на сегодняшний день. | It means the day was not that bad. |
И билет на самолёт с серебристым крылом, | And an airplane ticket for a silver-wing plane, |
Что, взлетая, оставляет земле лишь тень. | That, taking off, is leaving just a shadow behind. |