Today a rumour flew around our work crew:
The factory had planned a fancy-dress do.
They gave us masks with jumbos’ trunks
And rabbits’ ears and mugs like drunks
And told us that the zoo would be the venue.

"Why should I get all done up for this zoo do?
For pity’s sake, my darling, tell me your view."
She goes: "I want you dressing up,
So make sure you don’t mess things up
Or I’ll make out as usual I’m not with you."

"I got a dress", she says, "from Nadya, brand new -
I’ll be Marina Vlady at the works do.
And so on Sunday, come what may,
Though you’ll be with me well away,
At least I’ll wear a smart dress and my best shoes."

Why did I iron my suit and comb my hair through?
They caught me on arrival at the town zoo.
As Kolka who set up this farce
Gave me an alcoholic’s mask
The geezers took me off to drink some home brew.

And by the time I got back to the venue
There’s two Marina Vladys, so two wives too,
Dressed up as beasts and then I spied
Two great big hippos by their side -
So like a beast that waits to pounce I withdrew.

The next day when I went back to my work crew
They gave me an award as at the works do
Not only was my drunkard act
Convincing but much more than that
I got among the hippos in their cage too.