I recently came across a lively Ukrainian pop song that sounded silly and innocent, a bit like the singer—a leggy blonde waif who looks like a Slavic Barbie doll.
Her name is Masha Kondratenko and her song is called Vanka-Vstanka.
The Vanka-Vstanka is a Russian egg-shaped wooden toy which is impossible to knock over because it’s weighted. It will wobble but never fall down. In the US it’s called a Weeble, but similar old-fashioned toys exist under different names in many other countries. The Russian name means Get Up, Ivan (Vanka).
But enough of the innocent connotations. When you translate the lyrics, you realize that it’s a song about the war in Ukraine and Vanka is a generic name for the Russian invader. All in all, the words strike a pretty chilling contrast with the upbeat rhythm and Masha’s bright blue eyes. They’re a death sentence passed on the Russian soldiers sent to their slaughter by a crazed dictator.
Vanka-Vstanka
You said you didn’t know
Oh how did it happen, how did it happen?
You were wandering in the woods
Where to go, how come?
Oh, we see your tears
You’re so scared, the whole woods are shaking!
Even the old woman from the market
said that you should all be burned!
Vanka, get up, what’s wrong?
Get your body bag ready!
Vanka, don’t run!
There’s nowhere to go!
Vanka, get up, what’s wrong?
Get your body bag ready!
Vanka, get up, don’t run!
There’s nowhere to go!
No one can hide,
Unless it’s a joke.
A Cossack is coming across the sea,
It’s a bad omen for you!
One, two, three, four, five,
You have nowhere to run!
One, two, three, four, five,
Our Cossack is coming to find you!
Vanka, get up, what’s wrong?
Get your body bag ready!
Vanka, get up, don’t run!
There’s nowhere to go!
Vanka, get up, what’s wrong?
Get your body bag ready!
Vanka, get up, don’t run!
There’s nowhere to go!
Vanka, get up, what’s wrong?
Get your body bag ready!
Vanka, get up, don’t run!
There’s nowhere to go!
Vanka, get up, what’s wrong?
Get your body bag ready!
Vanka, get up, don’t run!
There’s nowhere to go!
It’s such a catchy tune that I’m sure even the Russian invaders will find themselves whistling it while they wander aimlessly through the woods. But there’s nowhere to go, Ivan.
Could this song become the Lili Marleen of the 2020’s?