New Pussy Riot song slams Russian President Vladimir Putin

If anyone thought the members of incarcerated Russian punk band Pussy Riot would be cowed by the two-year prison sentence handed down last week, all they need do is check out the lyrics to the group’s latest song, “Putin Lights Up the Fires.”

A video for the song created by London’s Guardian newspaper was released Friday:

The lyrics have just been made available in an English translation.

“The country is going into the streets boldly… the country is going to bid farewell to the regime,” the band’s singers blare over a suitably thrashy guitar-bass-drums track built on a descending chord progression.

The trio of women were arrested after a February guerrilla performance protesting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow’s main cathedral. Last week, the three were sentenced to two years in prison for “hooliganism.”

The government’s response to the group’s protest has sparked reactions around the world, with serious messages of solidarity from superstars such as Paul McCartney and Madonna to “Family Guy” creator and “Ted” director Seth McFarlane, who tweeted last week: “Russian Punk Band Sentenced … For Hooliganism (Plus 8 counts of shenanigans, tomfoolery, hijinks, jibber-jabber, and razzmatazz).”

Here’s the full text of “Putin Lights Up the Fires”:

This state may be stronger than time in jail.

The more arrests, the happier it is.
Every arrest is carried out with love for the sexist
Who botoxed his cheeks and pumped his chest and abs.

But you can’t nail us in the coffin.
Throw off the yoke of former KGB!

Putin is lighting the fires of revolution
He’s bored and scared of sharing silence with the people
With every execution: the stench of rotten ash
With every long sentence: a wet dream

The country is going, the country is going into the streets boldly
The country is going, the country is going to bid farewell to the regime
The country is going, the country is going, like a feminist wedge
And Putin is going, Putin is going to say goodbye like a sheep

Arrest the whole city for May 6th
Seven years isn’t enough, give us 18!
Forbid us to scream, walk and curse!
Go and marry Father Lukashenko

A website in support of the group has also been set up.

ALSO:

Pussy Riot members sentenced to two years in prison

Critic’s Notebook: Russian band’s sentencing shows punk’s power

Free speech advocates worldwide protest Russian punk band’s sentencing