Его собаки (His Dogs)

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark, almost mythic scene of slumbering, battle-worn dogs. The opening plea, "Не тронь веки" (Don't touch the eyelids), immediately establishes a sense of reverence and protection for these sleeping creatures. They are depicted as guardians who have endured a long, arduous vigil, "Они так трудно, так долго / Охраняли пир" (They guarded the feast so hard, so long), suggesting a significant, perhaps costly, defense. The imagery of "полковые трубы" (regimental trumpets) sleeping and a "ров" (moat) teeming with snakes adds to the atmosphere of a world held in suspended, dangerous peace, a peace bought by the dogs' silent watch.