Rasputin – English Lyrics

• By: Boney M.

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and Boney M.'s 'Rasputin' offers a unique and entertaining lesson. The song's clear, narrative-driven lyrics tell a dramatic historical story, making it easier to follow and learn new vocabulary related to history, power, and personality. Its catchy chorus and energetic rhythm make the words memorable, helping you to effortlessly absorb a piece of European pop culture and a fascinating, albeit dramatized, historical tale.

[English]

There lived a certain man in Russia long ago

He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow

Most people looked at him with terror and with fear

But to Moscow chicks, he was such a lovely dear

He could preach the Bible like a preacher

Full of ecstasy and fire

But he also was the kind of teacher

Women would desire

Ra-Ra-Rasputin

Lover of the Russian queen

There was a cat that really was gone

Ra-Ra-Rasputin

Russia's greatest love machine

It was a shame how he carried on

But when his drinking and lusting

And his hunger for power became known to more and more people

The demands to do something about this outrageous man

Became louder and louder

"This man's just got to go", declared his enemies

But the ladies begged, "Don't you try to do it, please"

No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charms

Though he was a brute, they just fell into his arms

Then one night, some men of higher standing

Set a trap, they're not to blame

"Come to visit us", they kept demanding

And he really came

Ra-Ra-Rasputin

Lover of the Russian queen

They put some poison into his wine

Ra-Ra-Rasputin

Russia's greatest love machine

He drank it all and said, "I feel fine"

Ra-Ra-Rasputin

Lover of the Russian queen

They didn't quit, they wanted his head

Ra-Ra-Rasputin

Russia's greatest love machine

And so they shot him 'til he was dead

Oh, those Russians

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
man /mæn/ A2	noun - an adult male human
power /ˈpaʊər/ B2	noun - the ability to do something or act in a particular way
glow /ɡloʊ/ B1	noun - a steady light that is not very bright verb - to produce a steady light
preach /priːtʃ/ B2	verb - to give a religious talk
desire /dɪˈzaɪər/ B2	noun - a strong feeling of wanting something verb - to want something very much
queen /kwiːn/ A2	noun - a female ruler of a kingdom
machine /məˈʃiːn/ A2	noun - a device that makes work easier
poison /ˈpɔɪzən/ B2	noun - a substance that can cause death or illness
demand /dɪˈmænd/ B2	noun - a strong request for something to be done verb - to ask for something forcefully
trap /træp/ A2	noun - a device for catching something verb - to catch or trick someone
head /hɛd/ A2	noun - the upper part of the body that contains the brain
dead /dɛd/ A2	adjective - not alive

Key Grammar Structures

• There lived a certain man in Russia long ago

  ➔ Simple past tense to indicate a completed action in the past.

  ➔ The use of "lived" shows an action completed in the past.

• He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow

  ➔ Adjective phrases describing the subject; use of "was" as linking verb.

  ➔ The "was" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject with its description.

• But he also was the kind of teacher

  ➔ Past tense of "be" in a predicate nominative expression.

  ➔ Demonstrates the association of the subject with a specific quality or identity.

• Ra-Ra-Rasputin

  ➔ Repetition for emphasis or stylistic effect; vocative expression.

  ➔ Used here as a stylistic device and to signal the chorus or a refrain.

• They put some poison into his wine

  ➔ Simple past tense to describe a completed action.

  ➔ The verb "put" in past tense indicates and emphasizes the completed act of placing poison.

• And he really came

  ➔ Simple past tense to indicate a completed action in the past.

  ➔ The use of "came" in the past tense confirms that the action has been completed in the past.