A lad stood thinking all the night through,
Thinking, thinking, what to do?
Whose heart to take? Whose heart not to break? (2x)

Refrain:
Tum-bala, tum-bala, tum-balalaika, (2x)
Tum-balalaika, shpil balalaika,
Tum-balalaika, happy we’ll be.

Maiden, maiden, tell me true,
What can grow, without the dew?
What can burn for years and years?
What can cry and shed no tears?

(refrain)

Silly lad, here’s the answer true:
A stone can grow, grow without dew.
Love can burn for years and years.
A heart can cry and shed no tears.

(refrain)