Sillanpään marssilaulu

Sillanpään marssilaulu (Finnish) is a Finnish patriotic song composed by Aimo Mustonen, with words by Frans Emil Sillanpää.

A few months before the start of winter war, the Finnish army held extra war training for its troops. One day, Sillanpää watched as some troops passed his house, singing a quite non-military song Maailman Matti. Sillanpää became frustrated, he wondered why the finnish soldiers did not sing something more fitting to the age of war they lived. Almost immediately, he wrote new, far more patriotic words to the Maailman Matti theme. The new words of Maailman Matti were published by the Suomen Kuvalehti -magazine, cathing the eye of captain Palmroth of the Finnish Defence Forces. Palmroth immediately recognized the potential of the song, thinking it was perfect for raising the morale of the finnish forces. He quickly organized a composing contest to create a more fitting theme for Sillanpää's song. Rising out of obscurity was Aimo Mustonen, winning over many well-known composers. The coming of winter war proved Palmroth's instinct correct, as Sillanpään marssilaulu became a huge success among the finnish troops.

Sillanpään marssilaulu

Kotikontujen tienoita tervehtien

tämä laulumme kaikukoon,

yli peltojen, vetten ja tunturien,

aina Hangosta Petsamoon.

Sama kaiku on askelten,

kyllä vaistomme tuntee sen.

kuinka kumpujen kätköistä, mullasta maan

isät katsovat poikiaan.

Sinä tiedäthän veikko mun vierelläin,

mikä retkemme tänne toi.

Ilomielin me riensimme sinne päin,

missä yhteinen kutsu soi.

Tapa tuttu jo taattojen

nyt on hoidossa poikasten:

Kun on vaaralle alttiina syntymämaa,

kotiaskareet jäädä saa.

Mitä lieneekin aarteita Suomessa,

toki kallehin on vapaus.

Tääll' on suorana seistä ja kaatua

joka miehellä oikeus.

Siis te lapset ja vanhukset,

ja te äidit ja morsiamet,

niin kauan teillä on suojattu lies

kun on pystyssä ykskin mies.

English Translation

Saluting the home neighbourhood,

let this song echo forth,

over fields, lakes and fells

all the way from Hanko to Petsamo.

Our steps have the same echo,

our instinct feels it,

as our forefathers gaze their sons,

from below the earth and the hills.

Dear lad on my side,

surely you what brought us here.

Gladly we rushed there,

where the common calling rang.

A way known by grandfathers,

is now the way of their descendants,

when threatened is our fatherland,

home chores will have to leave behind.

What treasures there is in Finland,

freedom is the most valuable.

Every man here has

the right to fall or fight.

So hear you children and seniors,

you mothers brides also,

as long as there is a man standing,

you shall have a guarded home.

External links

• Sillanpään marssilaulu (sound clip, 30 seconds, 369 kB, MP3) presented by Karjalan Sotilassoittokunta (Karelia Military Band) and Joensuun Mieslaulajat (Joensuu Male Choir in the military music homepage of Finnish Defence Forces