Penal battalion instated Bolster the Eastern Front By order 227 We're sent to bear the brunt A death sentence recruitment Shtrafbat means the end Convict infantry A subspecies of man Human decoy soldiers Mine clearing personnel Cheapest cannon fodder Hear the ring of my death knell Shtrafbat! Sentenced to Shtrafbat! My crimes cleansed in Shtrafbat! Sentenced to Shtrafbat! My crimes cleansed in blood Used to lessen casualties The Red soldiers are spared Gulags fuel the industry The killing shifting gear Perpetual deployment Our service never ends Empty promises are given That some of us may live Obedience comes natural With nothing left to give A death sentence recruitment Shtrafbat means the end Convict Infantry A subspecies of men Disgraced Soviet officers Cowards prone to flight Stripped of rank and honour We can't escape our plight Advancing in a frenzy My burning eyes see red Into the MG's fire Atonement found in led Shtrafbat! Sentenced to Shtrafbat! My crimes are cleansed in blood