Oy, cisaryu, cisaryku, nashcho nas verbuyesh,
Mahazyny pohorily, chym nas pohoduyesh?
– Oy budu vas hoduvaty yachminnov polovov,
Ta budu vas pohanyaty cisars'kov dorohov!
– Yachminnaya polovonka hirkaya, hirkaya,
A cisars'ka dorozenka tyazkaya, tyazkaya.
Yachminnaya polovonka hirka, ne solodka,
A cisars'ka dorozenka dovha, ne korotka!