'Sit For The Road' - Marsh Family original song in tribute to Alexei Navalny ('Сядем На Дорожку')

This song is dedicated to the memory and activism of Alexei Navalny, an opposition leader in Russia who was killed last week, aged 47. He was incredibly brave, hopeful, and determined - facing horrendous trials with unmatched resolve and humour - in his fight to reform Russia and encourage the people to change the regime. He frightened Putin and the authorities because he was compassionate and strong - surviving a vicious assassination attempt by poison in August 2020, and torture and imprisonment since January 2021 - most recently at the penal colony where he died on 16 February.

We were inspired to write the song after watching a brilliant and moving documentary, Navalny (dir. Daniel Roher, 2022) that explores his life, with him reflecting: "If they decided to kill me, then it means we are incredibly strong. We need to utilize this power to not give up, to remember we are a huge power that is being oppressed."

The song takes its main refrain from the Russian tradition of sitting for a moment in silence, and reflecting, before embarking on long journeys. Navalny did this with his friends and family before flying back to Russia. In our rendering (hence the suitcases), it is a way of sharing his defiance and his hopeful vision of a free and fair Russia with a people who are no longer oppressed by tyranny, corruption, and cruelty. In that way, although his life was cut short, his legacy is still in motion.

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LYRICS:

Maybe you’ll tell me, that Alexei Navalny
Was a citizen of nowhere
Maybe you’ll tell me, that Alexei Navalny
Was the victim of a murder
It seems his journey’s over
Now he’s just another broken body in the cold
Hidden under cover so his story won’t be told

But I know better
Cos I can see those blue eyes smiling
Through the poison, lies, and fighting
The horizon’s hard to brighten, but another Russia’s there
Where we don’t see the righteous dying
Where we don’t hear the mothers crying
Where the people aren’t so frightened
It’s beautiful and fair

CHORUS
Sit for the road, Navalny, for the road
Sit for the road, Navalny, for the road
Yes for a while, your smiling eyes are closed
While Russian brothers die in vain, in wars they never chose
But there’s a road, Navalny, there’s a road
The one you showed, Navalny, one you showed
So when it’s time, and evil is opposed
The Russia you believed in
Will stand and walk to freedom
Your heart to carry home

Maybe you’ll tell me, that Alexei Navalny
Was a nationalist or martyr
Maybe you’ll tell me, that Alexei Navalny
Was a husband or a father
His journey isn’t over
Now it’s true he’ll never see his children growing old
Still he had a vision that would open up their world

Without dictators
Cos I can see those blue eyes smiling
Through the poison, lies, and fighting
The horizon’s hard to brighten, but another Russia’s there
Where we don’t see the righteous dying
Where we don’t hear the mothers crying
Where the people aren’t so frightened
It’s beautiful and fair

CHORUS [repeat]

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CHORUS IN RUSSIAN TRANSLATION

Сядем на дорожку, Навальный, на дорожку
Сядем на дорожку, Навальный, на дорожку
да, какое-то время, твои улыбающиеся глаза закрыты
пока русские братья умирают напрасно, в войнах не выбирали
но есть дорожку, Навальный, есть выход
тот, который ты показал, Навальный, тот, который ты показал
так что, когда придет времяe, когда со злом сражаются
Россия, в которую ты верил
она встанет и выйдет на свободу
оно вернет твое сердце домой

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[Sashokunari]

As a Russian, I need to sayThank you for the song! It is such a tremendous loss for Russia and for the world. Such a brave strong man, he's become the symbol of never stopping fighting, of being true to yourself. He believed in the people of Russia more than anyone, more, than we dared to believe ourselves. Россия будет свободной!

[chatterbox]

RIP Alexei Navalny. Thank you Marsh family.

[ANGIE]

I am from Ukraine and I am crying listening to this magnificent song. Thanks so much, it is really beautiful. And I hope Russia will be free from a dictator and will live in peace without any wars around.

[patriciabarnes]

I found that song very moving, it brought tears to my eyes! Sometimes I despair for the human race, somehow we can’t seem to learn lessons from the past & just get on with one another. Still too many greedy, power seeking people, not enough empathy & love.

[mariasinitsyna-rossen]

Thank you thank you thank you. I’m Russian and I’m so deeply touched. ❤❤❤ Navalny is in our hearts forever, his legacy - is the fight for normal peaceful democratic Russia!

[caroldaviddaviejohnson]

This song bought me to tears, it speaks of tragedy, loss, hope and above all compassion for the terrible death of Alexei Navalny, incarcerated for standing up to oppression. Very moving, and a beautiful tribute. I applaud you all for speaking your truth in such a lyrical way, and in raising your children with a strong and engaged social conscience. These are the voices of our future, and what powerful ones they are! 👏👏👏👏❤

[marianholmes]

A very important story to be told. Thank you for having the courage to tell it in your own talented way and for doing your part in making sure Alexei isn't forgotten. Let's hope that Road appears soon x

[vasnik]

Russian here. Crying out loud listening to your song. Such a terrible tragedy for russian people as well as for the rest of the world. Bravest men alive was killed by dictator, I literally can't eat since then. Anyway, thank you so much, your song gave me a moment of piece.

[angelacasey]

I hope his family get to hear that song!

[НатальяСоболева-хг]

Today he was buried. I listen to your song and can’t stop crying. It’s such a huge loss, it’s so heartbreaking that I and my friends and many many people can’t really comprehend it. The grief is overwhelming and I couldn’t cry since the day he was killed. Now I can, thanks to you. Crying helps. All the best wishes from Russia and thank you so much for this song

[afjkernow]

Such bravery needs to be remembered. People who stand up against oppression and tyranny and with no thought for themselves are special.
A beautiful response to a horrific tragedy. We need to be braver too, even when the odds seem impossible, to take a stand against injustice, hatred and oppression. It’s hard to leave our comfort zones but nothing will get better anywhere if we don’t.
Real change always starts with our own decision to try and make a difference for the good of others.

[katemate]

May we never forget Navalny. RIP. Thankyou Marsh family. As usual first class 🌟👏👏

[philippac]

Thank you so much for this beautiful song. My sister in law is Russian and we really appreciate this encouraging and insightful song.

[kChandler]

😢❤️Beautiful tribute. Thank you, Marsh family.

[davidcharles]

When the world is full of sorrow
And the news is bleak and grim
There is one thing that can cheer us
And make our spirits sing

It's the family of music
That brings us joy and peace
With their voices and their instruments
They make the troubles cease

They have a special magic
That fills our hearts with hope
They show us how to live in harmony
And how to cope

They inspire us to be better
And to work for a fairer world
They remind us of the beauty
That lies in every word

We thank them for their gift
And we hope they never stop
We thank them for their kindness
In every tear that drops.

[nelliebeliakova]

It’s amazing how deep you have understood Alexey and us Russians who are mourning the loss of him. I’m so impressed and touched. And the music and the voices are so beautiful. Thank you so much ! You are a wonderful family ❤

[joannebutcher]

So sad that Alexei Navalni has died, hope he will never be forgotten. Lovely tribute to him, thank you you wonderful Marsh Family ❤

[Squishys]

Very moving, he was on the right side of history, he won't ever be forgotten, RIP A.N.

[janetmcbride]

You've taken a dreadful situation and turned it into a song of encouragement and hope. Bravo and thanks.

[manevich_shoopl]

I've worked in Navalny team for a few years, thank you for very touching song! Someday Russia will be free and happy