[painfully sad but sweet melody instrumental outro] Verse 1 He stumbled through the bird market, pockets full of shame, Begging kopecks for vodka, whispering “Never again” —the same old game. Then a stranger appeared with a shadow so black, “Take this dog,” he said, “and the cash in your pack.” “Are you drunk?” he laughed. “I’ve been sober a year.” Took the leash and the rubles, his fate drawing near. Chorus Oh, Droog, oh, Droog—black ghost of the storm, You shattered his bottles, his lies, his old form. A friend in the ruins, a voice in the night, But even angels can’t win every fight. [painfully sweet instrumental break] Verse 2 He bought wine like a king, but the cork never broke, “Put it down,” growled the dog, “Or your soul will choke.” The bottles crashed—“Am I mad? Is this hell?” A talking Newfoundland? “No,” Droog sighed, “I’m your spell.” He tried to ditch him, but the dog wouldn’t leave, A curse and a savior, a ghost he’d believe. Chorus Oh, Droog, oh, Droog—black ghost of the storm, You scrubbed his apartment, dragged him out of the norm. A friend in the ruins, a voice in the night, But even angels can’t win every fight. [instrumental bridge] Bridge He wrote a letter—“Take this beast, he’s a curse!” The dog was hauled away, screaming “You’ll reverse!” The booze rushed back, a river of pain, Sanitars dragged him, screaming “Droog’s name!” Outro Now sober and shattered, he climbs to his room, Sees the ball he once bought, cloaked in doom. “I betrayed you, Droog,” he weeps on the floor, “My truest friend—gone. What’s left to live for?” The wind howls a dirge through the Soviet gray, “No drink, no friend… just the price to pay.” [epic, painful but fading outro]