This song also goes by the title of “O Field, My Field”, “Song of the Plains”, “Song of the Steppes” or, in Russian, “Polyushko Polye” or “Polyushko-pole”. I first heard it on Michael Palin’s (of Monty Python fame) PBS travel series, “Full Circle with Michael Palin”. In one episode, Michael visited the Russian Pacific Fleet Choir, where he dressed in uniform and tried to sing along. Their version was faster, louder, and more powerful than the free one you linked to. If you’d like a more stirring version, look for the one by the Red Army Choir, also available on iTunes. It starts quiet, but builds a massive crescendo. You can watch them sing it here on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfBeeVKhPHE. The audio iTunes version is much better, though. Here is a free RealPlayer version: http://richka.com/redarmy/ppolye.ram

The song was written during the Russian Civil War and sung by the Red Army. Some say that it started with the White Army and crossed sides. Here are the translated lyrics from a Pittsburgh music site:

Meadowlands, wide meadowlands, Heroes cross the fields, Ekh, heroes of the Red Army.

Girls are crying, Today the girls are downhearted, Their dear ones have gone away, Ekh, away to the army.

Girls, look there, Look there, out on our road, The distant road is pulsing, Ekh, the jolly road.

But out there we see, We see a grey storm-cloud, The enemy’s evil in the forest, Ekh, the enemy’s evil, like a storm-cloud.

Ekh, girls, look there, We’re ready to take the enemy, Our quick-legged steeds, Ekh, our quick-moving tanks.

Ekh, let the work Bubble gaily in the kolkhozy, We’re supervisors today, Ekh, today we’re sentries.