Before leaving to another country
You fill out a million applications,
Well, the worst is yet to come.
And in the staff of delegations
There is a face in a civilian uniform,
Going with you.

And a month before leaving,
You are given some instructions,
On how to spend your days.
No indecencies or parties,
And political connections -
No way!

A face in civilian uniform
Was introduced to me in Paris:
"I’ll be living with you. Name’s Nicodemus.
I worked in the shipment, lived in Bobruisk,
Father is Russian, I am Russian,
I was never tried".

He carried out his duties,
And maintained his secrecy,
And tried to help me in everything.
And he followed me everywhere,
Watched my every move, you know -
Day and night.

So, I decided to tour Rome
Without the help of Nicodemus.
He wrote all night and fell asleep,
But later I found out
That boxing was his hobby -
So I didn’t risk.

He had breakfasts and dinners with me,
And always watched me in a crowd,
As though he had nothing else to do.
So one day I sneaked into his room,
Took a look into his journal -
I was shocked.

He wrote (what a bastard!)
That on a street in Pans
I attacked the Mayor with fists,
That I’m hungry for then - women,
And get influenced too much
By the wicked West.

What does that mean? They can even
Suspect me in spying.
Just imagine my life then!
That means I will never see
Either Rome or Paris -
For as long as I live.