50.

Core of the song (page 50): This is a short, repetitive folk narrative in the voice of a rural Ukrainian man (likely a peasant or small farmer). He walks along, thinking aloud about a recent trip or errand. He recalls entering someone’s household, a botched or regretted “purchase” (probably livestock — oxen or cows), a hidden bottle of liquor (“горівка”), a quick eavesdropping moment, and turning back home. The song ends with a prayer-like wish for health so that “they” (the family or the animals) will thrive, plus a humorous aside about how the godfather (“кум”) once tried to sell or trade oxen. It feels like a light-hearted, slightly ironic slice-of-life confession — the kind of story people would sing while working or drinking.

Main theme: Everyday peasant life under God’s will. The singer accepts that fate (and God) decides whether deals succeed, whether health holds, and whether the household prospers. There’s a gentle mix of resignation, self-mockery, and hope: “If only God gave health…” The repeated “(2р.)” markings show it’s meant to be sung chorally or with a refrain, typical of Ukrainian village songs that turn small personal mishaps into shared, singable wisdom.

In short: a folksy, conversational meditation on life’s little bargains, hidden vices, and the constant prayer for strength to keep the farm and family going. Classic early-20th-century Ukrainian rural lyric.