Finnish to English - Värttinä's "Eerama"

If anyone can help me, I'd appreciate this a whole lot!

Eerama akka Pohjan akka
Eerama akka Pohjolan

Eerama akka Pohjan akka
koitoksiin käskee kosjat

Kynnä kyinen pelto
käännätä käärmehinen
tao tarpehia
kättä ei anna

Kynnä kyinen pelto
käännätä käärmehinen
tao tarpehia
ei anna Eerama

Eerama akka Pohjan akka
Eerama akka Pohjolan

Teettää työtä tyttärestä
Eerama akka Pohjolan

Tuo Tuonelan joutsen
ammu armolintu
hiihä hiijen hirvi
kättä ei anna

Tuo Tuonelan joutsen
ammu armolintu
hiihä hiijen hirvi
ei anna Eerama

As it is one of those very difficult translations, because it is not the "usual" words, then I took liberty to paste the professional English translation from Värttinä's homepage. It is a very good translation, that makes perfect sense.

As I know already from past, that you want precise translations, then i can assure you, this is as precise, as it can get. You will see, that in example this line here:

Kynnä kyinen pelto
käännätä käärmehinen
tao tarpehia
kättä ei anna

is different in English, but I give you example, how it would look, if translated "word-in word", so then you see, that it makes much more sense in professional translation.

Plough the vipery field,
turn over vipery,
do, what's needed,
won't give hand.

From what I understand, "Tao" becomes from word "takoamaan", and means "to hit", and "tarpehia" comes from word "tarpeet", and means "needs". So I translated those 2 words together to "Do, what's needed".



Here it is, the professional translation:

Eerama, old woman of the North
set tasks for those who sought her daughter's hand:

“Plough a field of vipers,
turn over the serpent-ridden soil.
And you'll have to forge the plough yourself
or Eerama won't give her to you.”

Eerama, old woman of the North said:
“You'll have to work for my daughter.”

“Bring me the Swan of Tuonela,
shoot that sweet bird of mercy.
And hunt the sacred elk on your skis.
If you don't, my daughter isn't for you.”

"Bring me the Swan of Tuonela,
shoot that sweet bird of mercy.
And hunt the sacred elk on your skis.”
If you don't, Eerama says No.


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A little sidenote:
You already know, that I am not from Finland, and if a Finnish person looks here in this thread, then by all means, if you see something wrong, or have suggestions, please correct me!

Thanks! I totally failed at finding the professional translation on their page. *heddesk*

What a brilliant song. Thanks a million!

no problem at all. you're welcome