You think I am a sedentary man?
Believe me, you are very wrong on this one.
I’ll tell you how I went to Magadan,
Listen!

How I saw the bay of Nagaisk, and
The highways...
If there’s sleet, if there’s snow, if there’s ice, then -
It’s my way.

I told a friend, "I’ll visit when I can."
My promise was as good as etched in granite.
I knew, someday, I’d get to Magadan,
Dammit!

I would see the bay of Nagaisk, and
The highways...
If there’s sleet, if there’s snow, if there’s ice, then -
It’s my way.

Like from the plague, from my own self I ran.
The rumors flew - my plane flew even faster.
I spent my first three days in Magadan
Plastered!

But I saw the bay of Nagaisk, and
The highways...
If there’s sleet, if there’s snow, if there’s ice, then -
It’s my way.

I didn’t give my enemies a chance,
I didn’t slit my wrists or have a seizure.
I simply told myself, "There’s Magadan.
Be there!"

Then I saw the bay of Nagaisk, and
The highways...
If there’s sleet, if there’s snow, if there’s ice, then -
It’s my way.

I could’ve stayed at home, as I had planned,
While keeping all my girlfriends here from straying.
Instead, I flew away to Magadan,
Saying:

"I will see the bay of Nagaisk, and
The highways...
If there’s sleet, if there’s snow, if there’s ice, then -
It’s my way."

I knew that I’d get frostbite, not a tan;
I knew my wallet, too, would suffer badly.
But still, I chose to fly to Magadan,
Gladly!

And I gazed at the bay, at the slopes, at
The highways...
You’ve not seen them? Then you’re a dope, that’s
What I say.