Russians suffer sad distress + 

For lack of freedom of the press, + 

But oft’ times they are full able + 

To enlighten with a fable. + 

And they enjoy a humorous tale + 

Of a bear and monster whale, + 

The bear he went to the sea shore + 

The mighty ocean to explore. + 

And this it quick enraged the whale + 

Who beat the ocean with his tail, + 

With foaming words he told the bear + 

That he would strip his hide and hair. + 

If he ever found him more + 

Encroaching on his sea shore, + 

The bear replied I will not quail + 

At frothing words of any whale. + 

For you are a lump of blubber, + 

Whale rejoined you are land lubber, + 

Thus bandying epithets so vile, + 

Of bear grease and of whale oil. + 

Sharks and fishes of the ocean + 

Were thrown into great commotion, + 

The hawks and eagles of the air, + 

Lions and tigers gathered there. + 

Bear he wished the whale to slaughter, + 

But he was afraid of water, + 

The great whale feared that he might strand + 

If he ventured on the dry land. + 

So at last great Russia Bear + 

Went back again to his own lair, + 

And British whale content to be + 

Greatest monarch of the sea. + 