Odessa Sailor Kostya

English adaptation of a famous Soviet song

Boats full of silver mullet
Kostya brought to Odessa’s shore,
And all the dockside workers
Stood up when he walked through the door.

The sea turned blue behind the harbor,
Chestnut trees above the town.
Konstantin would take his guitar
And softly sing this song around:

I can't speak for all Odessa* -
It's a city far too wide,
But from Moldavanka** to the harbor
They all love Kostya the sailor guy.

One May, a fisher girl named Sonya
Rowed her little boat to land.
She smiled and said:
“Everyone knows you -
But I've never met this man.”

Kostya lit a Kozbek*** cigarette
And answered with a quiet grin:
“You're a curious kind of lady,
But here's the thing you're asking him…”

I can't speak for all Odessa* -
It's a city far too wide,
But from Moldavanka* to the harbor
They all love Kostya the sailor guy.

Soon the town was full of rumors,
Spring was blooming everywhere.
Dockside workers whispered, laughing:
“Kostya must be in love somewhere.”

And the whole old port of Odessa*
Danced until the morning sky,
When the sailor Kostya married
That bright fisher girl named Sonya.

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Notes:
* Odessa - a Black Sea port city famous for its multicultural atmosphere, humor, and vibrant maritime culture.

**Moldavanka - a historic district of Odessa known for its colorful port life, markets, sailors, and famous Odessa humor.

***Kozbek - a legendary Soviet cigarette brand popular among sailors and dock workers in the mid-20th century.

Listen to the song:

https://disk.yandex.ru/d/CbLkJmsZ5Dk1PA

This song in Russian:

http://stihi.ru/2026/02/28/6362

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This English adaptation is inspired by the famous Soviet song “Shalandy, Polnye Kefali” (“Boats Full of Mullet”), one of the most beloved musical portraits of the port city of Odessa on the Black Sea.

The song was written in 1943 during World War II for the Soviet film “Two Fighters” (Dva Boytsa).
Lyrics by Vladimir Agatov, music by Nikita Bogoslovsky, and originally performed on screen by the legendary Soviet actor and singer Mark Bernes.

In the film, the song is sung by a sailor named Arkady Dzubin, who recalls the lively streets, harbor life, and colorful characters of Odessa - especially the famous sailor Kostya, a figure who became almost mythical in popular culture.

With its warm humor, nostalgic melody, and vivid port imagery, the song quickly became one of the most recognizable musical symbols of Odessa.

In Odessa they like to say: every street remembers its songs.
And somewhere between Moldavanka and the harbor, the story of Kostya the sailor is still being sung.