Когда я стану старой

**When I Grow Old**  
*(Song lyrics in English, based on the original Russian poem)*


**[Verse 1]**  
When I grow old, a grumpy hag,  
A bitter witch, no doubt at all,  
In sagging tights, a crazy quirk,  
My hair a faded, tangled smirk.  

When I walk with a crooked cane,  
And scratch my nose, all bent and plain,  
With a rag for hair upon my head —  
A sight that’ll make you turn and tread.  

**[Chorus]**  
Then, by fate’s unkind design,  
He’ll appear — my prince so fine,  
My dirty rogue, my beauty’s spark,  
The one I’ve waited for, so stark.  

**[Verse 2]**  
He’ll glance at me, half-closed his eyes,  
And all his passion quickly dies...  
I’ll mutter through my toothless grin:  
«You pest! Where have you been, my sin?»  

**[Bridge]**  
And he, placing his dentures down,  
Will sigh or hiccup, lost and drown,  
Whisper softly, «Oh, my dear!»,  
And fall at my feet, like a sack so sheer.  

**[Verse 3]**  
«I walked to you through pain and strife,  
I did great deeds, I fought for life,  
I hoarded gold and precious stones,  
And gathered crumbs, my dreams in tones.»  

**[Chorus]**  
Then, by fate’s unkind design,  
He’ll appear — my prince so fine,  
My dirty rogue, my beauty’s spark,  
The one I’ve waited for, so stark.  

**[Outro]**  
So here we are, two ancient souls,  
With stories worn, and hearts that roll.  
Though time has passed, and youth is gone,  
Our love remains — our only song.