**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.
