The Genitive Case, or "If you have no aunt"

Родительный падеж или…«Если у вас нету тёти»*

If it’s been a while, review the genitive case. Then read the lyrics (below)
of the well-known song from the classic Soviet era film, Irony of Fate or Enjoy your Bath!” (Ирония судьбы, или С лёгким паром!).

In Russia, this song (as well as others in the film) has deep associations with New Year’s Eve, as that is when the film was always broadcast. This seemingly light-hearted song is actually quite philosophical and has nothing to do with New Year’s Eve. So, no need to wait seven months to enjoy it or the film…

First, cover up the translation into English below. Then read the song in Russian, mark unfamiliar words, and use a dictionary to look them up. The underlined words are in genitive case. As you read the lyrics, consider the rules of this case and why the case is used in each instance.

Do your best to translate the song into English. Compare your results with ours.

Listen several times to the recording of the song by the famous Soviet/Russian singer, songwriter, and composer Sergey Nikitin while reading the lyrics. Sing along!

Then follow the link above and watch the film, which you will enjoy with a new depth after learning this song.

Если у вас нету дома,
Пожары ему не страшны
И жена не уйдёт к другому,
Если у вас, если у вас,
Если у вас нет жены.
Нету жены.

Если у вас нет собаки,
Её не отравит сосед.
И с другом не будет драки,
Если у вас, если у вас,
Если у вас друга нет.
Друга нет.

Припев:

Оркестр гремит басами,
Трубач выдувает медь.
Думайте сами, решайте сами,
Иметь или не иметь.
Иметь или не иметь.

Если у вас нету тёти,
Её вам не потерять.
И если вы не живёте,

То вам и не, то вам и не,
То вам и не умирать.
не умирать.

Припев

If you have no home,
Fire cannot threaten it.
And your wife won’t leave you for another,
If you have, if you have,
If you have no wife.
No wife.

If you have no dog,
It can’t be poisoned by your neighbor.
And you will not fight with your friend,
If you have, if you have,
If you have no friends.
No friends.

Chorus:

The orchestra roars with basses,
The trumpeter blows through the copper.
Think about it, decide yourself,
To have or have not.
To have or have not.

If you have no aunt,
You will never lose her.
And if you do not live [fully],
Then you will not, then you will not,
Then you will not [need to] die.
To die.

Chorus

* “Ария Московского Гостя” or “Песня о собаке” are other names for the song.