The official music video for by the Czech rock band Kabát , released in 2006 , is a gritty, metaphorical depiction of human perseverance and the weight of existence. The song's title refers to "Burlaks"—historical Russian barge-haulers who endured back-breaking labor dragging ships against the current—and serves as the central theme for the video's story. The Story and Visual Themes
: Featuring imagery of ropes, dust, and hard soil, the video captures the "thousand-year" cycle of day-to-day survival described in the lyrics. It depicts a world where the sky is dark and low, and the only "choir" is the howl of wolves from the mountains. KABГЃT - Burlaci [official video]
: The song features music by Ota Váňa and lyrics by Milan Špalek . The official music video for by the Czech
: A recurring visual and lyrical command is to "turn around and look at the ships behind you," urging self-reflection on one's past journey. It also acknowledges that everyone eventually "touches the bottom" as part of the human experience. Production Details It depicts a world where the sky is
: The video explores the idea that people can be either "angels or dragons," where every good deed acts as a source of renewed strength to face the surrounding darkness.
: The visual narrative emphasizes the metaphor of pulling "ships against the stream," representing the relentless effort required to navigate life's challenges despite the "stones" or obstacles in one's path.
The video portrays a dark, atmospheric journey that mirrors the lyrics' themes of struggle, life's "half-truths," and the search for strength in a world of lies.