55 years ago today

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the world's first artificial satellite.



Captains of Interplanetary Ships

"To distant stars flew heroes from the pages of fantastic books;
How I wish you and I could be like them someday in real life.

They fly through the fog towards the stars with their true song;
Let's go! Let's go, captains!
Let's go! Let's go, captains!
Let's go, captains of interplanetary ships!

People have sent aloft a satellite,
They can't put us on it yet,
But let our satellite inspire joyous work!

Let our happy song be carried through the fog;
Let's go! Let's go, captains!
Let's go! Let's go, captains!
Let's go, captains of interplanetary ships!

The time will come when through starry space we will pilot our rockets;
To the silent gray mountains of the moon we will come on Komsomol vacation trips.

We will fly through the fog with our true song,
Let's go! Let's go, captains!
Let's go! Let's go, captains!
Let's go, captains of interplanetary ships!"

Music (1957): Edward Kolmanovsky; Lyrics: N. Dobronravov, S. Grebennikov; Translation: mine
Performance (9 April 2011): Alexander Yavdoshenko with the ensemble "Zabava" (Julia Gomerova, Ivan Yefimov, Nadezhda Shilova).