rusakko

Minne on siskoni mennyt?
Maille tuntemattomille,
vetten taakse vierasille –
sinne on siskoni mennyt.

Minne on serkkuni mennyt?
Kumman metsän kulkijaksi,
oudon väen oppahaksi –
sinne on serkkuni mennyt.

Minne on siskoni mennyt?
Tumman virran vietäväksi,
Tuonen tytön tuttavaksi –
sinne on siskoni mennyt.

Minne on serkkuni mennyt?
Irrallensa itsestänsä,
tuonne tomumajastansa –
sinne on serkkuni mennyt.

Minnepä menisin minä?
Siskoseni saattajaksi,
serkkuseni vartojaksi –
sinnepä menisin minä.

Vaan ei hellitä henkeni,
ehdy elo itseltäni.
Ei laske luontoni lähteä.
 

Where has my sister gone?
Traveling to lands unheard of,
visiting beyond the waters –
there has my sister gone.

Where has my cousin gone?
Wandering through far-off forests,
guiding strangers on their journey –
there has my cousin gone.

Where has my sister gone?
Taken by the murky river
to be Tuoni’s daughter’s fellow –
there has my sister gone.

Where has my cousin gone?
Separated from his self-soul,
cut loose from his mortal body –
there has my cousin gone.

Where would I go myself?
To walk my sister on her journey,
be in waiting for my cousin –
there would I go myself.

But my spirit will not falter,
life will not let go of me.
My nature will not let me leave.