The article deals with the two topoi from the songs about Ermak. The topos choice of place (locus) from a range of options is presented in various versions, which feature two different strategies: the manifestation of absolute freedom of the characters who don’t want to have anything to do with the authorities; the involvement of the free Cossacks in solving the problems faced by the authorities. The second topos is the list of cities to be passed under cover, which testifies to the singer’s in-depth knowledge of the Russian geography. The function of historical memory of oral folk literature is activated through geography.