We are both done for and through a fluke:
He for embezzlement and I for the love of Xenia.
Xenia - I loved but we parted,
She was yelling and resisting.

The CHEKA pounced on both of us
And now we are inmated called ZE-KA
ZE-KA Vassiliev and Petrov ZE-KA.

And in the camps there is no life at all,
Surrounded by railroad thieves and housebreakers
We are mistreated horribly by everyone.
With passes made at us, the most peculiar.

And those in charge could not care less why inmates are here
To them we are all the same ZE-KA’s
ZE-KA Vassiliev and Petrov ZE-KA.

So we decided to escape one day
Or things would end for us quite badly.
Every day tormented by the criminals,
While the chief doctor wants us as his lovers.

And so the die was cast, escape we must,
But in the meanwhile, we remain the same
ZE-KA Vassiliev and Petrov ZE-KA.

Four years we were preparing our escape,
Saved lots of food, it seemed like three tons in weight.
Even a very sympathetic criminal type,
Shared with us his meagre rations.

And so we left together hand in hand,
Our daring was applauded by all the rest ZE-KA’s
They admired truly ZE-KA Vassiliev and Petrov ZE-KA.

Along the Tundra like lost orphan kids we wander,
Not by the main roads but the hidden paths.
Are we heading for Moscow or Mongolia?
My bastard mate had no idea, nor I the slightest inkling.

I proved to him that where the sun sets, that’s the West
It was too late, we were grabbed by the CHEKA
ZE-KA Vassiliev and Petrov ZE-KA.

Our Colonel was mentioned in reports,
That he recaptured two hardened criminals;
He got for it two decorations and some cash,
And out of joy he kept on hitting us.

Years have been added to our term
And now again we are the same ZE-KA’s
ZE-KA Vassiliev and Petrov ZE-KA...