Radiant, beautiful Odessa!
Lying by the black-waved sea;
Mountain-crowned, wave-washed, white-towered,
Queen of grace and majesty.
With broad plaza, sun-kissed terrace,
Costumes quaintly shaped and gay,
Flags of every clime and nation
Floating o'er thy purple bay.
Sunshine ever doth enfold thee;
Flowers and fields of billowy grain
Lie around thee; birds are joyous
On the upland and thy plain;
From thy port bedecked with banners
Whence my white-winged boat departs,
See! an exile ship is steering
With its freight of broken hearts.
Radiant, beautiful Odessa!
Richelieu's glory, love and pride,
Wooed by breaths of balmy southland,
Touched by loving foam-kissed tide.
But a despot's hand is on thee,
Though thy sons may wish thee free;
Tear-stained, queenly, bright Odessa,
Lying by the black-waved sea!
