I am not a fan of Victor Tsoi's songs, but he is certainly a talent and there is a very strong energy in his lyrics and music. In short, the song "Kukushka" call to action, to fight for real life. He says that this way is hard, but if a person does not follow it, then he (or she) becomes a slave. I think this song was correctly chosen for this film because the defenders of Sevastopol fought the fascists because they did not want to be slaves. I will try to explain every verse to you so that you understand. Песен, еще не написанных, сколько? Скажи, кукушка, Пропой. В городе мне жить или на выселках? Камнем лежать Или гореть звездой? Звездой... There is a Russian folk sign to ask the cuckoo how many years you have left to live. You have to ask the question and then count how many times the cuckoo will scream. The author plays this sign. He asks the cuckoo how many songs he has left to write. That he was destined to die or succeed. Солнце мое, взгляни на меня: Моя ладонь превратилась в кулак. И если есть порох, дай огня. Вот так. He decides to fight, he clenches his hand into a fist. He appeals to the sun (to a higher power) that he has potential (metaphorically-gunpowder) and he asks for help from the sun (asks for fire). Кто пойдет по следу одинокому? Сильные да смелые головы сложили в поле, В бою. Мало кто остался в светлой памяти, В трезвом уме да с твердой рукой в строю. This verse means that not everyone can go this way, but only strong, brave and smart people. Где же ты теперь, воля вольная, С кем же ты сейчас ласковый рассвет встречаешь? Ответь! Хорошо с тобой да плохо без тебя. Голову да плечи терпеливые под плеть. Под плеть. That is, the author says that he does not feel free, he personifies freedom and refers to it. He says he really misses that feeling. And he says that he who agrees to suffer unfreedom is worthy to be a slave.