Lapin kesä [English translation]

In Lapland everything flowers quickly

Land, grass, barley, even dwarven birch

This, I have often felt heavily

While looking at the phases of our people

Why does everything beautiful wish to die here

And the great wither into the sordid

Why do we have so many madmen

Why so few players of the kantele

Why do men fall here, at every turn

Like grass, hopeful men indeed

Men of thoughts, men of emotion, all turn to earth

Or sever in the midst of their chores

Elsewhere the gray-haired beam with fire

The sun of spirit glows in the elderly

With us babes are born as old men

And a young man is already for the grave

And myself, why do I ponder these things?

It is a sign of early old age

Why don't I follow the call of blood, instinct

But sigh over the destinies of nations

There's but one answer, the summer of Lapland

Thinking of it, the mind grows gloomy

In Lapland birdsong, amusement is short

And the bloom of flowers, and other joy

But only the reign of winter is long

For a moment ideas rest here, as if in mid-flight

When they beging again their sunny trek

And leave behind a frozen Lapland

Oh whitebirds, guests of Lapland's summer

Great notions, I greet you

Oh, stay here, to make your nests

Even if you'll move to southern lands

Oh learn from the swans

They leave in autumn, return in spring

It's calm on our shores

And safe is the side of the fell

Fly through the air, with wuthering flutter

Create deeds, illuminate lands

But when you see winter has left here

I beg you, I ask, please return

• Artist:Vesa-Matti Loiri
• Album:Lapin kesä (1992)