Kiev or Kyiv (Ukrainian: Київ [ˈkɪjiw] ( listen); Russian: Киев) is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press.
Kiev is an important industrial, scientific, educational and cultural centre of Eastern Europe. It is home to many high-tech industries, higher education institutions and world-famous historical landmarks. The city has an extensive infrastructure and highly developed system of public transport, including the Kiev Metro.
The name Kiev is said to derive from the name of Kyi, one of four legendary founders of the city (brothers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv, and sister Lybid). During its history, Kiev, one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, passed through several stages of great prominence and relative obscurity. The city probably existed as a commercial centre as early as the 5th century. A Slavic settlement on the great trade route between Scandinavia and Constantinople, Kiev was a tributary of the Khazars, until seized by the Varangians (Vikings) in the mid-9th century. Under Varangians rule, the city became a capital of the Rus', the first East Slavic state. Completely destroyed during the Mongol invasion in 1240, the city lost most of its influence for the centuries to come. It was a provincial capital of marginal importance in the outskirts of the territories controlled by its powerful neighbours; first the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, followed by Poland and Russia.
He was a man just a simple man
His thoughts and pleasures were few
His bread he shared with his father
That was the life that he knew
And how the snow fell in Kiev today
And how the wind drove the mourners away
Now there is only one man at the grave of Davorian
And this man's heart is to heavy to pray
Nah Nah ...
Nah nah ...
He was a man just a simple man
Died at the place of his birth
His tombstone shared by the family
A silent place on the earth
An old man stands by the side of the grave
And this man's heart is too heavy to pray
For he is numb with the pain
Of the love that he couldn't share
Until he died there in Kiev today
Dah dah dah ...
Nah nah nah ...
He was a man just a simple man
Died at the place of his birth
His tombstone shared by the family
A silent place on the earth
An old man stands by the side of the grave
And this man's heart is to heavy to pray
For he is numb with the pain
Of the love that he couldn't share
And two men died there in Kiev today
Lah lah lah ...
Nah nah nah ...
Dah dah dah ...
My friends it's not what you were famous for
But now the whole world's watching you
If we could help you then you know we would
But we don't know just what to do
Eye to eye our ways are not the same
We never tried to understand
But it could pass to each of us you name
Then who's the one to take the blame
Kiev, a candle with a flame
You'll never be the same
Our hearts go out to you
And what you're going through
They've thrown away your past
Just like an empty glass
Into the fire
Someone wiser took the Steppe from you
I'm sure with reason it was right
But now it seems the whole world's blaming you
And who's the one to put things right
Kiev, a candle with a flame
You'll never be the same
Our hearts go out to you
And what you're going through
They've thrown away your past
Just like an empty glass
Into the fire
Kiev, a candle with a flame
You'll never be the same
We all will understand
You're really not to blame
They've thrown away your past
Just like an empty glass
Into the fire Kiev
My friends it's not what you were famous for
But now the whole world's watching you
If we could help you then you know we would
But we don't know just what to do
Eye to eye our ways are not the same
We never tried to understand
But it could pass to each of us you name
Then who's the one to take the blame
Kiev, a candle with a flame
You'll never be the same
Our hearts go out to you
And what you're going through
They've thrown away your past
Just like an empty glass
Into the fire
Someone wiser took the Steppe from you
I'm sure with reason it was right
But now it seems the whole world's blaming you
And who's the one to put things right
Kiev, a candle with a flame
You'll never be the same
Our hearts go out to you
And what you're going through
They've thrown away your past
Just like an empty glass
Into the fire
Kiev, a candle with a flame
You'll never be the same
We all will understand
You're really not to blame
They've thrown away your past
Just like an empty glass
He was a man just a simple man
His thoughts and pleasures were few
His bread he shared with his father
That was the life that he knew
And how the snow fell in Kiev today
And how the wind drove the mourners away
Now there is only one man at the grave of Davorian
And this man's heart is to heavy to pray
Nah Nah ...
Nah nah ...
He was a man just a simple man
Died at the place of his birth
His tombstone shared by the family
A silent place on the earth
An old man stands by the side of the grave
And this man's heart is too heavy to pray
For he is numb with the pain
Of the love that he couldn't share
Until he died there in Kiev todayDah dah dah ...
Nah nah nah ...
He was a man just a simple man
Died at the place of his birth
His tombstone shared by the family
A silent place on the earth
An old man stands by the side of the grave
And this man's heart is to heavy to pray
For he is numb with the pain
Of the love that he couldn't share
And two men died there in Kiev today
Lah lah lah ...
Nah nah nah ...
Dah dah dah ...
Dah dah nah ... naaaah