Vanhojapoikia viiksekkäitä [English translation]

A small hut on the island of Saimaa,

On its stairs sits Nestori Miikkulainen.

Playing his harmonica, and a (ringed) seal

rises to the surface with a splash.

Under the waves, it made its way to the player,

for it the melody is well-known.

The song tells what it's like to be left all alone,

the seal understands that well.

Nestori's wedding was never celebrated,

the world lured the bride away.

Old boys with moustaches,

both the man and the seal.

A small hut on the island of Saimaa,

there the life companion didn't wish to stay.

Nestori was left alone like the seal,

as its companion was taken by faith.

Saimaa is big but has only a hundred seals,

soon there may be none left at all.

Miikkulainen plays the harmonica,

One knows that longing well.

Nestori's wedding was never celebrated,

the world lured the bride away.

Old boys with moustaches,

both the man and the seal.

A small hut on the island of Saimaa,

on its stairs, sits Nestori Miikkulainen.

On its resting stone, the old seal

looks at a friend with sympathy.

Saimaa is big but you can't find a woman from its shores

to settle on such a windy island.

Like the seal, Miikkulainen is due to be

the last of his line.

Nestori's wedding was never celebrated,

the world lured the bride away.

Old boys with moustaches,

both the man and the seal.

• Artist:Juha Vainio