What was that song in “Chernobyl?”
Episode 4 of the miniseries featured a song sung entirely in Russian, with no subtitles. While considered a folk song, and therefore somewhat vague in origin, it is strongly associated with the Cossack forces in the Caucasian War (1817-1864) — the Russian Empire's invasion and annexation of the Caucasus. Here are the words:
Чёрный ворон, что ж ты вьёшься
над моею головой?
Ты добычи не дождёшься!*
Чёрный ворон, я не твой!
ворон: raven • виться Ь: to circle, whirl, coil (вить Ь means to weave or wind) • моею = моей (this archaic Church Slavonic instrumental ending is often seen in poetry and songs for metrical purposes - to "add" an extra syllable) • добыча: prey • дожидаться АЙ / дождаться n/sA: to wait for / to wait (successfully, to the end)
* NOTE: another version reads "не добьёшься" (i.e., you. will not get your prey, from the verb добиватьсяАЙ / добиться Ь)
Black raven, why are you circling
above my head?
You won't "successfully await" (your) prey!
Black raven, I'm not yours!
The speaker is imagined as a wounded soldier being stalked by ravens and vultures. The image of the raven also brings to mind the theme of fate: the cawing of crows and ravens in Russia was traditionally thought to prophesy death.
In addition to being featured in the 1934 film Чапаев, the song appeared more recently as a recurring motif in the wonderful series of "buddy films" that began with Особенности национальной охоты (Peculiarities of National (or Russian) Hunting). Above is a clip from its sequel, Особенности национальной охоты в зимний период (Peculiarities of the National Hunt During the Winter Period) - skip to 27:42 to hear the song performed by the General while enjoying a bath.