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Ukraine releases own version of Ballad of the Green Berets

Article by: Adrian Bryttan

In 1966, the song “Ballad of the Green Berets” was the No. 1 hit for many weeks on American music charts. In the midst of the Vietnam War, it was one of the very few songs that proudly portrayed the military in a positive light. It sold over nine million single discs and albums, and was even the top single of a year in which the Beatles and Rolling Stones dominated the music industry. It was originally written to honor the first native Hawaiian serviceman who died in Vietnam, executed by the Viet Cong. The song was written by Robin Moore, author of the novel and movie “The Green Berets” with John Wayne, and singer-songwriter Barry Sadler, Staff Sergeant, Green Berets. “The Ballad of the Green Berets” has been translated into many languages and has been adapted for the combat forces of Netherlands, Rhodesia, Sweden, Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, and now – Ukraine.

The author of the lyrics Oleksa Nehrebeckyj presented the song at his Facebook page: “I wrote some lyrics to a song. Just in time for the Army Day [6 December 2014]. Never mind the video – it’s just a rough draft. The music is American.”

The song was created by four people’s effort: lyrics by Oleksa Nehrebeckyj, music adapted by Vitalii Telezin, the singer – Yulia Donchenko and the production director – Andrii Partyka. The video for the song was created by Olena Bilozerska, Information Agency “Poriad z Vamy” [“By Your Side”]

Ballad of the Green Beret
by Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler and Robin Moore
copyright 1966

Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America’s best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret

Trained to live off nature’s land
Trained in combat, hand-to-hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage peak from the Green Berets

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America’s best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret

Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her his last request

Put silver wings on my son’s chest
Make him one of America’s best
He’ll be a man they’ll test one day
Have him win the Green Beret.

100 warriors: Ukrainian version of Ballad of the Green Beret
by  Oleksa Nehrebeckyj, translated by Adrian Bryttan

Like a blood stream flowing fine
On the steppes a thin red line:
Battles to the left and right,
Lurking death – a dreadful sight.

We advance, one hundred strong,
We march on, however long.
Hour by hour, day by day,
Our one command – to fight and stay.

Day by day, to who knows where
We follow orders – our squad is there,
Through the blazing bullets hail
On our charred and rocky trail.

We advance, one hundred strong,
We march on, however long.
Hour by hour, day by day,
Our one command – to fight and stay.

As we face the vast unknown,
We approach uncharted zones,
While we meet our distant fate,
In our homes our sweethearts wait.

Here today and gone tomorrow –
Morning brings us joy and sorrow.
No one knows what fate has planned,
We’ll give our life for our dear land.

Any moment can be your last,
The time for fear is now long past,
Ready, aim – repulse the foe!
Don’t drag your feet – let valor show.

We advance, one hundred strong,
We march on, however long.
Hour by hour, day by day,
Our one command – to fight and stay.

Dearest heart, don’t you cry!
He’ll return – he will not die!
Our Donbas they’ll never take
Our resolve they’ll never shake!

We advance, one hundred strong,
We march on, however long.
Hour by hour, day by day,
Our one command – to fight and stay.

 

 

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