If tomorrow the war
(MP3, 870Kb)

1933. Soviet poster

Song by Daniil and Dmitry Pokrass
Lyrics by Vasily Lebedev-Kumach

If tomorrow the war, if the foe will attack
If the brutes come upon over sudden
To defend Fatherland from invaders assault
Soviet people will all rise to struggle

On the land, in the sky an the high seas
Our song is a rigour and might
If tomorrow the war
If tomorrow to fight
You today must be ready for that!

If tomorrow the war, all the land will arise
From Kronshtadt and to Vasdivistok
All the land will arise, and with all our might
All the foes will be beaten and flogged

On the land, in the sky an the high seas
Our song is a rigour and might
If tomorrow the war
If tomorrow to fight
You today must be ready for that!

Our planes in the air, our guns in the fields
Our powerful tanks are attacking
Our ships in the sea, our infantry leads
And the brave cavalry now charging

On the land, in the sky an the high seas
Our song is a rigour and might
If tomorrow the war
If tomorrow to fight
You today must be ready for that!

We're not seeking war, but'll defend ourselves
Not in vain we had build the defence
On the enemy land we will beat him to ground
By the powerful blow and small blood

On the land, in the sky an the high seas
Our song is a rigour and might
If tomorrow the war
If tomorrow to fight
You today must be ready for that!

Get ahead, working people and get ready to march
Beat the drums, our regiments drummers
March ahead the brass band, march ahead singing leads
Raise to skies our victory carol

On the land, in the sky an the high seas
Our song is a rigour and might
If tomorrow the war
If tomorrow to fight
You today must be ready for that!

There's in no force on the wold that will beat our land*
Every enemy sure will be beaten
Comrade Stalin's with us and with cast-iron will
To the victory leads Voroshilov

On the land, in the sky an the high seas
Our song is a rigour and might
If tomorrow the war
If tomorrow to fight
You today must be ready for that!

1938

Translated by Stanislav Dmitriev, 2004