Samuil Marshak
Such an absent-minded lad

There lived an absent-minded lad,
Whom on Basseynaya street we met

In the morning, on his bed,
He, when putting on his shirt,
In the sleeves then placed his arms —
Sleeves turned out to be his pants.

Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!

When he tried to don his coat-
They all tell him: wrong stuff, man!
When he started putting gaiters —
They all tell him: It's not yours!

Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!

In a hurry, on his head,
Frying pan replaced his hat.
His felt boots, he couldn't get
So his heels got gloves instead.

Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!

By tram and to some station
He, once, was heading towards
Then, opening the doors, said he
To the conductor-man:

— My dearest of friends, you are
The best of all conductors!
Respected by all carriages
Respected by all people!
Cost what it may, my chap
I need to exit here.
So it is ever possible
This "stam" stop at the "tration"?
Conductor-man got so surprised —
The tram was stopped that instant.

Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!

Heading down to the canteen
Tickets tried to purchase he.
Later, ran to the cashier,
Thinking he could get a drink.

Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!

Having reached the platform, then
Found our lad a detached train.
Got his sacks and cases in,
Stuffed his stuff under the seats,
Facing one of corner windows
There he found a restful sleep.
— What's this simple country station? —
Cried our lad, the morning dawning.
Platform people tell our man:
— Leningrad's this town's name.

He again dozed off a little
And anew looked out the window,
Saw a great big station then,
Got surprised, and asked again:

— What is, now, this current station —
Bologoye or Petrovka?
Platform people tell our man:
— Leningrad's this town's name.

He again dozed off a little
And anew looked out the window,
Saw a great big station then,
Yawned and stretched, and asked again:

— And what is supposed to be this station —
Dibuny? Maybe Yamskaya?
Platform people tell our man:
— Leningrad's this town's name.

Then he cried: Is this some joke, eh!
I've been on this train for days now,
And you're telling me I'm back,
I am back to Leningrad!

Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!

Translated by Dmitry Severski