The wise and ancient minstrel Wainamoinen
Sat in the meadows of Wainola singing his songs
Of wits and wisdom of legends long forgotten
He was the wisest and strongest and oldest one, known to all
But far from the dismal north came a jealous singer
A young and reckless foolhardy Joukahainen
He challenged old Wainamoinen to a contest of wisdom
He gathered his power and so he began his chanting
"I have knowledge of things most do not see
Yield your sword do you think you're better than me?"
"It's not thy sword and not thy wisdom I fear"
said Wainamoinen to a cursing Joukahainen
"You've come for a battle and a battle you shall have
now face the torture and horror as I start to sing"
Mountains were torn to pieces and oceans heaved
Joukahainen was hurled into the swamp so deep
"I'm drowning oh save me please what should I give?
My bows, my stallions, my gold, what do You need?"
"I do not wish thy crossbows for I have a few of such already"
"And for thy gold I have no longing, neither do I wish thy stallions"
"Then take my sister Aino as Your bride to be"
"So let it be done"
Ooooh how the tears they fell as sweet Aino heard the news
that she is to be wedded to the old Wainamoinen
The maiden sat on a stone in the center of the lake
into which she plunged never to see the sun again
Sat in the meadows of Wainola singing his songs
Of wits and wisdom of legends long forgotten
He was the wisest and strongest and oldest one, known to all
But far from the dismal north came a jealous singer
A young and reckless foolhardy Joukahainen
He challenged old Wainamoinen to a contest of wisdom
He gathered his power and so he began his chanting
"I have knowledge of things most do not see
Yield your sword do you think you're better than me?"
"It's not thy sword and not thy wisdom I fear"
said Wainamoinen to a cursing Joukahainen
"You've come for a battle and a battle you shall have
now face the torture and horror as I start to sing"
Mountains were torn to pieces and oceans heaved
Joukahainen was hurled into the swamp so deep
"I'm drowning oh save me please what should I give?
My bows, my stallions, my gold, what do You need?"
"I do not wish thy crossbows for I have a few of such already"
"And for thy gold I have no longing, neither do I wish thy stallions"
"Then take my sister Aino as Your bride to be"
"So let it be done"
Ooooh how the tears they fell as sweet Aino heard the news
that she is to be wedded to the old Wainamoinen
The maiden sat on a stone in the center of the lake
into which she plunged never to see the sun again