What are the words to the song Tumbalalaika?

Answer 1

In English:

A young lad is thinking, thinking all night

Would it be wrong, he asks, or maybe right,

Should he declare his love, dare he choose,

And would she accept, or will she refuse?

Chorus:

Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika,

Tumbala, tumbala, tumbalalaika

tumbalalaika, play Balalaika,

tumbalalaika - let us be merry.

Maiden, maiden tell me again

What can grow, grow without rain,

What can burn for many years,

What can long and cry without tears?

Silly young lad, why ask again?

It's a stone that can grow, grow without rain,

It's love that can burn for many long years,

A the heart that can yearn and cry without tears.

Answer 2

It is a Jewish Russian song.

1. for more info see:

   www.uni-graz.at/.../CIM07_Vycinienel-Razauskas_ Peculiarities%20of%20Performance.pdf