Rasputin

Song meaning of Rasputin by Boney M

The song is about Grigori Rasputin, who was the Russian Tsar Nicholas II's friend and counsellor in the early 20th century.

At its core, the song describes Grigori Rasputin's ascent to fame in the court of Nicholas II, alluding to Tsarina Alexandra Fyodorovna's desire that her haemophiliac son, Tsarevich Alexei of Russia, would be cured. As a result, Alexei appointed Rasputin as his personal doctor. This post greatly increased Rasputin's power, especially with Alexandra.

The song concludes with a rewritten version of a widely recognised account of the circumstances leading up to Rasputin's murder.

Lyrics of Rasputin by Boney M

There lived a certain man in Russia long ago

He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow

Most people look at him with terror and with fear

But to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear

He could preach the Bible like a preacher

Full of ecstasy and fire

But he also was the kind of teacher

Women would desire

RA RA RASPUTIN

Lover of the Russian queen

There was a cat that really was gone

RA RA RASPUTIN

Russia's greatest love machine

It was a shame how he carried on

He ruled the Russian land and never mind the Tsar

But the kazachok he danced really wunderbar

In all affairs of state he was the man to please

But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze

For the queen he was no wheeler dealer

Though she'd heard the things he'd done

She believed he was a holy healer

Who would heal her son

RA RA RASPUTIN

Lover of the Russian queen

There was a cat that really was gone

RA RA RASPUTIN

Russia's greatest love machine

It was a shame how he carried on

[Spoken:]

But when his drinking and lusting and his hunger

For power became known to more and more people

The demands to do something about this outrageous

Man became louder and louder

"This man's just got to go!" declared his enemies

But the ladies begged "Don't you try to do it, please"

No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charms

Though he was a brute they just fell into his arms

Then one night some men of higher standing

Set a trap, they're not to blame

"Come to visit us" they kept demanding

And he really came

RA RA RASPUTIN

Lover of the Russian queen

They put some poison into his wine

RA RA RASPUTIN

Russia's greatest love machine

He drank it all and said "I feel fine"

RA RA RASPUTIN

Lover of the Russian queen

They didn't quit, they wanted his head

RA RA RASPUTIN

Russia's greatest love machine

And so they shot him till he was dead

Oh, those Russians...