Негодяй и Ангел

The song "Негодяй и Ангел" by Nautilus Pompilius tells a compelling story of a scoundrel and an angel who meet at a table, engaging in a game of cards. The scoundrel, blessed with four aces, wins the game, while the angel is left with a jack. In a symbolic gesture, the angel detaches his wings and places them on the table, a poignant act of surrender. The sky, personified, watches this scene through the murky glass, adding a layer of divine observation to the narrative.

The scoundrel, seizing the opportunity, takes the angel's wings to a pawnshop and buys a deck of marked cards with the money. He returns to the table, proposing another round of gambling. The sky continues to watch them, this time from behind high windows, suggesting a sense of detachment or perhaps inevitability. The story unfolds with a fairy-tale ending: the dragon is slain, the princess marries, and the scoundrel sells the angel's feathers and down at the market. Meanwhile, the angel soars high, regaining his wings and returning to his celestial state.

The song concludes with a reflection on the moral of the tale, or rather, the lack thereof. It suggests that individuals are born with inherent traits—some with horns, others with feathers—and they remain true to their nature until the end. The sky, representing a higher power, looks upon humanity with a mix of joy and sorrow, accepting each being as they are. This narrative challenges the listener to ponder the complexities of morality, destiny, and the essence of human nature.