The author analyzes a well-known Old Believer spiritual poem in different manuscripts in order to reveal the historical context of the events described in the poem. Comparing facts and determining the location of geographic sites, and chronology, the author was able to single out the real components of the poem that prove that it was written following the tragic events of 1848, i. e. The attack on Old Believers' St Laurentius Monastery (Gomel Region). Additionally, the author describes the role the poem played not only for traditional but also classical music culture as its text and melody were once used in an opera (M. Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina).