что ж вы, зори росные, утром в кровь багрянитесь
Temnozor
A Lament for the Fallen: Temnozor's Ode to War and Nature
Temnozor's song, 'что ж вы, зори росные, утром в кровь багрянитесь,' is a poignant and evocative piece that intertwines themes of war, nature, and Slavic mythology. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a landscape drenched in the blood of conflict, where the natural world reflects the sorrow and turmoil of human strife. The 'rosy dawns' turning crimson in the morning symbolize the bloodshed and the heartache of those left behind, washing the distance with the blood of their hearts.
The song continues to explore the relationship between the land and its people, with 'smoky distances' greeting the returning sons from war with the 'coniferous brew of stars' and 'bitter herb potions.' This imagery suggests a deep connection between the warriors and the earth, where the natural elements serve as both a welcome and a balm for their wounds. The 'quiet grasses' and 'free winds' are described as being intoxicated, perhaps by the sorrow and the memories of the battles fought, while the 'cries of cranes' in the 'whirlpools of seven heavens' evoke a sense of longing and loss.
The song also delves into the mystical and the mythological, with references to Perun, the Slavic god of thunder and war, whose sword 'craves the crimson days.' The 'autumn birds' weaving the 'pain of my land' and the 'smoke of fires' into the 'dream of forests' further emphasize the cyclical nature of life and death, war and peace. The 'birch sap' given by the 'forest elder' and the 'ashes, witch-mist, and steel dawn' are potent symbols of renewal and the enduring spirit of the land and its people. The song concludes with a call to the 'navy crows' and the 'cry of fierce battles,' suggesting that the sorrow of today will be washed away by the 'tears of rains' and the 'sorcery of spring,' heralding a new beginning for the sons of Rus'.