Translation of the song Veli artist Hedningarna

Olin ennen kuin olinki--

I was before as I was--

olin kuin omenankukka

I was as an apple flower

puolankukka kumpareella

a lingonberry flower on a hillock

isä kutsu kukkaseksi

father called me a blossom

emo päivän nousennaksi

mother, the dawning of the day

sisoni sinikeräksi

my sister1, a blue roll of string2

Läksin piennä paimenehen --

I left in my youth to tend the flock--

lassa lammasten kerälle

as a lassie out to herd sheep

tulin rannalle ojasen

to the bank of a brook I came

raita rannalla ojasen

at the bank of the brook stood a willow

tuolta poikanen putosi

from which fell a young lad

solki suussa, vyö käessä

a buckle in mouth, a belt in hand

minä raukka itkemähän --

I, poor one, took to weeping--

poikanen kyselemähän

and the youngster to asking

mitäs itket, nuori neito?

what is it that you weep for, young maiden?

itkenpä minä jotaki

there is something that I weep for

itken pientä veikkoani

I weep for my young brother

en ole sitten silmin nähnyt

I have not seen with my eyes

piennä kun sotahan lähti

since he went to war as a youth

piennä kun sotahan lähti

since he went to war as a youth

älä itke veikkoasi --

do not weep for your brother--

tuolta veljesi tulevi

from there your brother comes

alta linnan airot souti

from under the castle oars were rowing

päältä linnan pää näkyvi

above the castle a head was seen

minä kurja kuulemahan

I, poor one, began to hear

kurja ja katala katsomahan

wretched and lowly, started looking

veikko seisoi vieressäni --

my brother stood beside me--

eessäni emosen lapsi

before me my dear mother's child