DESCRIPTION:
The song "Песня о Друге" is performed by the legendary Russian poet, songwriter and singer Владимир Высоцкий in the movie "Вертикаль," 1967. Translated in full sentences rather than word by word.


When people dislike my work here or on my other channels, I get upset. I imagine anyone who gets negative feedback without any explanation feels the same. That's why I've never disliked a single video on Utube.

Below is an awesome translation by David Vinnikov.
It captures Vysotskyi's rhythm and style:

If a man’s neither friend nor foe
Just another so-and-so
If you can’t get past his shell
Whether for good or for bad –
Take him up a high mount with you
Not letting him slip away
Now he’s stuck in a bind with you
Now you’ll see who he is –

If the fellow up there ain’t there
If he’s bitter and tears his hair
If he falls on the ice and feels
He’d rather drop you than freeze –
Then this can’t be the man for you
Don’t waste words on him but shoo
Just another one of the throng
Not a man for a song –

If he kept his rage in a shell
As he pulled through without a sound
Grabbed out for your hand when you fell
May have groaned but he held!
If he marched through with you to fight
To a summit which stole his might
It means you’ve found a friend
You can keep to the end.