"The Song of the Volga Boatmen".

OK, boys and girls, back to the 1800s: Inspired by Ilya Repin's famous painting of "burlaks" from the days of Tsarist Russia, this traditional shipboard working song was first published by Mily Balakirev in 1866. Popularized by Russian basso Feodor Chaliapin. Glenn Miller's jazz adaptation topped the charts in '41. It has become a musical symbol of toil, doom, despair and devotion to duty. Used frequently in Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny and The Three Stooges shorts. Song? Answer: "The Song Of The Volga Boatmen". A big item in my "bucket list" has always been going to St. Petersburg, Russia to see The Hermitage, the palaces and Tchaikovsky's and Dostoevsky's graves. Unfortunately, at this point, travel to Russia is not allowed and I don't think that is going to change anytime soon. Fortunately, however, The Hermitage has a superb virtual tour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Ys37dFXuY&list=RDI3Ys37dFXuY&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFC5_zuTpO8&list=RDpFC5_zuTpO8&start_radio=1

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