Hermann/Kuhlbars: Kungla Rahvas: Eesti -> English or German

Could anybody give a translation of the Estonian song "Kungla Rahvas" (Hermann/Kuhlbars) into English or German ? We want to sing that song with our choir, but we do not yet understand what we are singing.

Many thanks !

bomos

Kui Kungla rahvas kuldsel a'al
When Kungla's people on the golden era
Kord istus maha sööma,
sat down to eat
Siis Vanemuine murumaal
Then Vanemuine (Vanemuine - the god of songs)
Läks kandle lugu lööma.
Went to play with zither (lap harp) on the grassed land
it is this instrument: http://www.behindthesaunastudios.com...nel_photo1.jpg )

:,: Läks aga metsa mängima,
Went to play in to woods
Läks aga laande lauluga. :,:
Went with singing to woods

Sealt saivad lind ja lehepuu
From there the birds and tree
Ja loomad laululugu;
and the animals heard the song
Siis laulis mets ja mere suu
And then sang the woods, and the mouth of the sea,
Ja Eesti rahva sugu,
and the entire Estonian nation.

:,: Läks aga ... jne. :,:
Went to the woods... (repeat)

Siis kõlas kaunist' lauluviis
Then the singing tune was ringing beautifully
Ja pärjad pandi pähe.
And the wreaths was put on heads (wreath is this: http://lilled.delfi.ee/static/shop/images/49.jpg )
Ja murueide tütreid siis sai Eesti rahvas näha.
And Estonian people got to see the daughters of Grass-lady
(Murueit (grass-lady) - a female spirit of forest and earth, connected to the land of the dead; and her daughters - they was beautiful maidens)

:,: Läks aga ... jne. :,: (repeat)

Ma laulan mättal, mäe peal
I sing on the sod, on the hill
Ja õhtu hilja õues,
and also at late evening outside.
Ja Vanemuise kandle hääl,
And the voice of Vanemuine's harp
See põksub minu põues.
is pulsating in my bosom.

:,: Läks aga ... jne. :,: (repeat)

It is a very rough translation. I mean, it should be more poetical, as it is one of our most famous old songs, but I translated it directly, and no poetics there...
But I hope, it satisfies you, as you needed to know the meaning.

It is nice to know, that your choir likes that song. It is a very dear song to us Estonians

Have a nice time!

HEllo bomos and hello Lollipop

the instrument is called ZITHER (in german) and I found out it is the same word in english, too!

Have a nice day, Tahira

Thanks Tahira! I was so tired yesterday night, that I just couldn't force myself t search, so thank you for your help!
Here's a link to "kannel", if anyone interested in English, what it really is: http://www.kandlekoda.ee/history.htm

Many, many thanks to both of you, lollipop and Tahira !
Now we know what about we are singing.
We already performed the song on Friday, here in Austria, but nobody did understand the lyrics.

Thanks !

bomos

You're welcome any time!

Thanks again to all of you !
Hopefully, we will come to Tallinn and sing at Niguliste on 26.8. 18:00,
not only Kungla Rahvas ;-)

Wow, bomos, welcome, warmly welcome!
In that church the acoustics is wonderful, so I am sure, you will sound fabulous with your strong voices choir in there!