Kalevala, runo 35 (canto 35)

Kullervo, Kalervon poika

This canto is part of Kullervo's story, cantos 31 to 36.

What happens in this canto

Lines 1–68 Kullervo attempts to do different kinds of work for his parents, but only succeeds in spoiling everything, so his father sends him to pay the land-dues.
Lines 69–188 On his way home he meets his sister who was lost gathering berries, whom he drags into his sledge.
Lines 189–344 Afterwards, when his sister learns who he is, she throws herself into a torrent, but Kullervo hurries home, relates his sister's terrible fate to his mother, and proposes to put an end to his own life.
Lines 345–372 His mother dissuades him from suicide, and advises him to retire to some retreat where he may be able to recover from his remorse. But Kullervo resolves before all things to avenge himself on Untamo.

Summaries: W. F. Kirby, 1907, from Lönnrot's summaries in the 1849 edition.

Lines 1–68

Kullervo attempts to do different kinds of work for his parents, but only succeeds in spoiling everything, so his father sends him to pay the land-dues.

Finnish, 1849English, W. F. Kirby, 1907

1Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

2sinisukka äijön lapsi,With the very bluest stockings,

3sai tuosta elelemähänAfter this continued living,

4alla varjon vanhempien;In the shelter of his parents,

5ei saanut älyämähän,But he comprehended nothing,

6miehen mieltä ottamahan,Nor attained to manly wisdom,

7kun oli kaltoin kasvateltu,For his rearing had been crooked,

8tuhmin lasna tuuiteltuAnd the child was rocked all wrongly,

9luona kalton kasvattajan,By perversest foster-father,

10tuon on tuhman tuuittajan.And a foolish foster-mother.

11Poika työlle työnteleikse,Then to work the boy attempted,

12raaolle rakenteleikse.Many things he tried his hand at,

13Kaalasi kalastamahan,And he went the fish to capture,

14nuotan suuren souantahan.And to lay the largest drag-net,

15Itse tuossa noin sanovi,And he spoke the words which follow,

16airo käessä arvelevi:Pondered as he grasped the oar:

17"Veänkö väen mukahan,"Shall I pull with all my efforts,

18souan tarmoni takoaRow, exerting all my vigour;

19vai veän asun mukahan,Shall I row with common efforts,

20souan tarpehen takoa?"Row no stronger than is needful?"

21Perimies perältä lausui,And the steersman made him answer,

22sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:And he spoke the words which follow:

23"Jos veät väen mukahan,"Pull away with all your efforts,

24souat tarmosi takoa,Row, exerting all your vigour,

25et vetäne purtta poikkiRow the boat in twain you cannot,

26etkä hankoja hajalle."Neither break it into fragments."

27Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

28veälti väen mukahan,Pulled thereat with all his efforts,

29souti tarmonsa takoa:Rowed, exerting all his vigour,

30souti poikki puiset hangat,Rowed in twain the wooden rowlocks,

31katajaiset kaaret katkoi,Ribs of juniper he shattered,

32venon haapaisen hajotti.And he smashed the boat of aspen.

33Sai Kalervo katsomahan.Kalervo came forth to see it,

34Sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:And he spoke the words which follow:

35"Ei sinusta soutajaksi!"No, you understand not rowing,

36Souit poikki puiset hangat,You have split the wooden rowlocks,

37katajaiset kaaret katkoit,Ribs of juniper have shattered,

38koko haapion hajotit!Shattered quite the boat of aspen.

39Mene nuotan tarvontahan!Thresh the fish into the drag-net,

40Lienet tarpoja parempi."Perhaps you'll thresh the water better."

41Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

42meni nuotan tarvontahan.Then went forth to thresh the water,

43Itse tuossa tarpoimeltaAnd as he the pole was lifting,

44sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:Uttered he the words which follow:

45"Tarvonko olan takoa,"Shall I thresh with all my efforts,

46panen miehuuen nojassaPutting forth my manly efforts;

47vai panen asun mukahan,Shall I thresh with common efforts,

48tarvon tarpehen takoa?"As the threshing-pole is able?"

49Vetäjä sanansa virkki:Answered thereupon the net-man,

50"Mi on siitä tarpojasta,"Would you call it proper threshing,

51ku ei tarvo olan takoa,If with all your strength you threshed not,

52pane miehuuen nojassa!"Putting forth your manly efforts?"

53Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

54tarpaisi olan takoa,Threshed away with all his efforts,

55pani miehuuen nojassa:Putting forth his manly efforts.

56ve'en velliksi seotti,Into soup he churned the water,

57tarpoi nuotan tappuroiksi,Into tow he threshed the drag-net,

58kalat liivaksi litsotti.Into slime he crushed the fishes.

59Sai Kalervo katsomahan.Kalervo came forth to see it,

60Sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:And he spoke the words which follow:

61"Ei sinusta tarpojaksi!"No, you understand not threshing,

62Tarvoit nuotan tappuroiksi,Into tow is threshed the drag-net,

63ruumeniksi pullot rouhit,And the floats to chaff are beaten,

64selykset paloin paloitit!And the meshes torn to fragments,

65Lähe viemähän vetoja,Therefore go and pay the taxes,

66maarahoja maksamahan!Therefore go and pay the land-dues.

67Lienet matkassa parempi,Best it is for you to travel,

68taipalella taitavampi."Learning wisdom on the journey."

Folk songs that share lines with this passage

SKVR I2 936. — Uhtua · 1834 · Elias Lönnrot
Kalevala This song
31 katajaiset kaaret katkoi, katajaiset kaaret katko
56 ve'en velliksi seotti, veen velliksi seotti
58 kalat liivaksi litsotti. kalat liivaksi litsotti
SKVR I2 940. — Uhtua · 1835 · Elias Lönnrot
Kalevala This song
50 "Mi on siitä tarpojasta, "Mi on tuosta tarpojasta,
51 ku ei tarvo olan takoa, Kun ei tarvo olan takoa."
58 kalat liivaksi litsotti. Kalat liivaksi litsotti.

Kalevala	This song
31 katajaiset kaaret katkoi,	katajaiset kaaret katko
56 ve'en velliksi seotti,	veen velliksi seotti
58 kalat liivaksi litsotti.	kalat liivaksi litsotti

Kalevala	This song
50 "Mi on siitä tarpojasta,	"Mi on tuosta tarpojasta,
51 ku ei tarvo olan takoa,	Kun ei tarvo olan takoa."
58 kalat liivaksi litsotti.	Kalat liivaksi litsotti.

Lines 69–188

On his way home he meets his sister who was lost gathering berries, whom he drags into his sledge.

69Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

70sinisukka äijön lapsi,With the very bluest stockings,

71hivus keltainen, korea,And with yellow hair the finest,

72kengän kauto kaunokainen,And with shoes of finest leather,

73läksi viemähän vetoja,Went his way to pay the taxes,

74maajyviä maksamahan.And he went to pay the land-dues.

75Vietyä vetoperänsä,When he now had paid the taxes,

76maajyväset maksettuaAnd had also paid the land-dues,

77rekehensä reutoaikse,In his sledge he quickly bounded,

78kohennaikse korjahansa.And upon the sledge he mounted,

79Alkoi kulkea kotihin,And began to journey homeward,

80matkata omille maille.And to travel to his country.

81Ajoa järyttelevi,And he drove, and rattled onward,

82matkoansa mitteleviAnd he travelled on his journey,

83noilla Väinön kankahilla,Traversing the heath of Väinö,

84ammoin raatuilla ahoilla.And his clearing made aforetime.

85Neiti vastahan tulevi,And by chance a maiden met him,

86hivus kulta hiihteleviWith her yellow hair all flowing,

87noilla Väinön kankahilla,There upon the heath of Väinö,

88ammoin raatuilla ahoilla.On his clearing made aforetime.

89Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

90jo tuossa piättelevi;Checked the sledge upon the instant,

91alkoi neittä haastatella,And began a conversation,

92haastatella, houkutella:And began to talk and wheedle:

93"Nouse, neito, korjahani,"Come into my sledge, O maiden,

94taaksi maata taljoilleni!"Rest upon the furs within it."

95Neiti suksilta sanovi,From her snowshoes said the maiden,

96hiihtimiltä hiioavi:And she answered, as she skated,

97"Surma sulle korjahasi,"In thy sledge may Death now enter,

98tauti taaksi taljoillesi!"On thy furs be Sickness seated."

99Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

100sinisukka äijön lapsi,With the very bluest stockings,

101iski virkkua vitsalla,With his whip then struck his courser,

102helähytti helmivyöllä.With his beaded whip he lashed him.

103Virkku juoksi, matka joutui,Sprang the horse upon the journey,

104tie vieri, reki rasasi.Rocked the sledge, the road was traversed,

105Ajoa järyttelevi,And he drove and rattled onward,

106matkoansa mitteleviAnd he travelled on his journey,

107selvällä meren selällä,On the lake's extended surface,

108ulapalla aukealla.And across the open water,

109Neiti vastahan tulevi,And by chance a maiden met him,

110kautokenkä kaaloaviWalking on, with shoes of leather,

111selvällä meren selällä,O'er the lake's extended surface,

112ulapalla aukealla.And across the open water.

113Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

114hevoista piättelevi,Checked his horse upon the instant,

115suutansa sovittelevi,And his mouth at once he opened,

116sanojansa säätelevi:And began to speak as follows:

117"Tule korjahan, korea,"Come into my sledge, O fair one,

118maan valio, matkoihini!"Pride of earth, and journey with me."

119Neiti vastahan sanovi,But the maiden gave him answer,

120kautokenkä kalkuttavi:And the well-shod maiden answered:

121"Tuoni sulle korjahasi,"In thy sledge may Tuoni seek thee,

122Manalainen matkoihisi!"Manalainen journey with thee."

123Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

124sinisukka äijön lapsi,With the very bluest stockings,

125iski virkkua vitsalla,With the whip then struck his courser,

126helähytti helmivyöllä.With his beaded whip he lashed him.

127Virkku juoksi, matka joutui,Sprang the horse upon his journey,

128reki vieri, tie lyheni.Rocked the sledge, the way was shortened,

129Ajavi karettelevi,And he rattled on his journey,

130matkoansa mitteleviAnd he sped upon his pathway,

131noilla Pohjan kankahilla,Straight across the heaths of Pohja,

132Lapin laajoilla rajoilla.And the borders wide of Lapland.

133Neiti vastahan tulevi,And by chance a maiden met him,

134tinarinta riioaviWearing a tin brooch, and singing,

135noilla Pohjan kankahilla,Out upon the heaths of Pohja,

136Lapin laajoilla rajoilla.And the borders wide of Lapland.

137Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

138hevoistansa hillitsevi,Checked his horse upon the instant,

139suutansa sovittelevi,And his mouth at once he opened,

140sanojansa säätelevi:And began to speak as follows:

141"Käy, neito, rekoseheni,"Come into my sledge, O maiden,

142armas, alle vilttieni,Underneath my rug, my dearest,

143syömähän omeniani,And you there shall eat my apples,

144puremahan päähkeniä!"And shall crack my nuts in comfort."

145Neiti vastahan sanovi,But the maiden made him answer,

146tinarinta riuskuttavi:And the tin-adorned one shouted:

147"Sylen, kehno, kelkkahasi,"At your sledge I spit, O villain,

148retkale, rekosehesi!Even at your sledge, O scoundrel!

149Vilu on olla viltin alla,Underneath your rug is coldness,

150kolkko korjassa eleä."And within your sledge is darkness."

151Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

152sinisukka äijön lapsi,With the very bluest stockings,

153koppoi neion korjahansa,Dragged into his sledge the maiden,

154reualti rekosehensa,And into the sledge he pulled her,

155asetteli taljoillensa,And upon the furs he laid her,

156alle viltin vieretteli.Underneath the rug he pushed her.

157Neiti tuossa noin sanovi,And the maiden spoke unto him,

158tinarinta riitelevi:Thus outspoke the tin-adorned one:

159"Päästä pois minua tästä,"From the sledge at once release me,

160laske lasta vallallensaLeave the child in perfect freedom,

161kunnotointa kuulemasta,That I hear of nothing evil,

162pahalaista palvomasta,Neither foul nor filthy language,

163tahi potkin pohjan puhki,Or upon the ground I'll throw me,

164levittelen liistehesi,And will break the sledge to splinters,

165korjasi pilastehiksi,And will smash your sledge to atoms,

166rämäksi re'en retukan!"Break the wretched sledge to pieces."

167Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

168sinisukka äijön lapsi,With the very bluest stockings,

169aukaisi rahaisen arkun,Opened then his hide-bound coffer,

170kimahutti kirjakannen;Clanging raised the pictured cover,

171näytteli hope'itansa,And he showed her all his silver,

172verkaliuskoja levitti,Out he spread the choicest fabrics,

173kultasuita sukkasia,Stockings too, all gold-embroidered,

174vöitänsä hopeapäitä.Girdles all adorned with silver.

175Verat veivät neien mielen,Soon the fabrics turned her dizzy,

176raha muutti morsiamen,To a bride the money changed her,

177hopea hukuttelevi,And the silver it destroyed her,

178kulta kuihauttelevi.And the shining gold deluded.

179Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

180sinisukka äijön lapsi,With the very bluest stockings,

181tuossa neittä mairotteli,Thereupon the maiden flattered,

182kuihutteli, kutkutteli,And he wheedled and caressed her,

183käsi orosen ohjaksissa,With one hand the horse controlling,

184toinen neitosen nisoissa.On the maiden's breast the other.

185Siinä neitosen kisasi,Then he sported with the maiden,

186tinarinnan riu'utteliWearied out the tin-adorned one,

187alla vaipan vaskikirjan,'Neath the rug all copper-tinselled,

188päällä taljan taplikkaisen.And upon the furs all spotted.

Folk songs that share lines with this passage

SKVR I2 970. — Kontokki · 1832 · Elias Lönnrot

Kalevala	This song
83 noilla Väinön kankahilla,	Niillä Väinön kankahilla.
102 helähytti helmivyöllä.	Helähytti helmivyöllä.
104 tie vieri, reki rasasi.	Tie vieri, reki rotsasi;
121 "Tuoni sulle korjahasi,	Tuoni tulkoon korjahasi,

More shared lines (2)

Kalevala	This song
149 Vilu on olla viltin alla,	"Vilu ou olla viltin alla,
184 toinen neitosen nisoissa.	Toinen neitosen nisoisa.

SKVR I2 962. — Jyskyjärvi · 1835 · Elias Lönnrot

Kalevala	This song
71 hivus keltainen, korea,	Hivus keltainen koria,
72 kengän kauto kaunokainen,	Kengän kauto kaunokainen,
83 noilla Väinön kankahilla,	Noilla Väinön kankahilla,
153 koppoi neion korjahansa,	Koppo neion korjahansa,

More shared lines (2)

Kalevala	This song
183 käsi orosen ohjaksissa,	Käsi oron ohjaksissa,
184 toinen neitosen nisoissa.	Toinen neitosen nisissä.

SKVR I2 960. — Kiimaisjärvi · 1845 · D. E. D. Europaeus

Kalevala	This song
83 noilla Väinön kankahilla,	Noilla Väinön kankahilla,
84 ammoin raatuilla ahoilla.	Ammoin raatuilla ahoilla.
183 käsi orosen ohjaksissa,	Käsi oron ohjaksissa,
184 toinen neitosen nisoissa.	Toinen neitosen nisuissa.

More shared lines (1)

Kalevala	This song
185 Siinä neitosen kisasi,	Siinä neitosen makasi,

SKVR IV1 227. — Hietamäki · 1848 · D. E. D. Europaeus

Kalevala	This song
91 alkoi neittä haastatella,	Alko neittä haastatella,
141 "Käy, neito, rekoseheni,	Käy, neito, rekoseheni
143 syömähän omeniani,	Syömähän omeniani,
144 puremahan päähkeniä!"	Puremahan päähkeniä!

More shared lines (1)

Kalevala	This song
147 "Sylen, kehno, kelkkahasi,	"Sylen, kelmi, kelkkahasi

SKVR I1 80. — Vuokkiniemi · 1833 · Elias Lönnrot

Kalevala	This song
80 matkata omille maille.	Työnsipä omille maille.
149 Vilu on olla viltin alla,	Vilu on olla viltin alla,
150 kolkko korjassa eleä."	Kolkko korjassa eleä."
183 käsi orosen ohjaksissa,	Käsi ohjassa orosen,

More folk songs share lines with this passage; the reader shows the closest matches of each line.

Lines 189–344

Afterwards, when his sister learns who he is, she throws herself into a torrent, but Kullervo hurries home, relates his sister's terrible fate to his mother, and proposes to put an end to his own life.

189Jo antoi Jumala aamun,Then when Jumala brought morning,

190toi Jumala toisen päivän.On the second day thereafter,

191Niin neiti sanoiksi virkki,Then the damsel spoke unto him,

192kysytteli, lausutteli:And she asked, and spoke as follows:

193"Mist' olet sinä sukuisin,"Tell me now of your relations,

194kusta, rohkea, rotuisin?What the brave race that you spring from,

195Lienet suurtaki sukua,From a mighty race it seems me,

196isoa isän aloa."Offspring of a mighty father."

197Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

198sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:Answered in the words which follow:

199"En ole sukua suurta,"No, my race is not a great one,

200enkä suurta enkä pientä,Not a great one, not a small one,

201olen kerran keskimäistä:I am just of middle station,

202Kalervon katala poika,Kalervo's unhappy offspring,

203tuhma poika tuiretuinen,Stupid boy, and very foolish,

204lapsi kehjo keiretyinen.Worthless child, and good for nothing.

205Vaan sano oma sukusi,Tell me now about your people,

206oma rohkea rotusi,And the brave race that you spring from,

207jos olet sukua suurta,Perhaps from mighty race descended,

208isoa isän aloa!"Offspring of a mighty father."

209Neiti varsin vastoavi,And the girl made answer quickly,

210sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:And she spoke the words which follow:

211"En ole sukua suurta,"No, my race is not a great one,

212enkä suurta enkä pientä,Not a great one, not a small one,

213olen kerran keskimäistä:I am just of middle station,

214Kalervon katala tyttö,Kalervo's unhappy daughter,

215tyhjä tyttö tuiretuinen,Stupid girl, and very foolish,

216lapsi kehjo keiretyinen.Worthless child, and good for nothing.

217"Ennen lasna ollessani"When I was a little infant,

218emon ehtoisen eloillaLiving with my tender mother,

219läksin marjahan metsälle,To the wood I went for berries,

220alle vaaran vaapukkahan.'Neath the mountain sought for raspberries.

221Poimin maalta mansikoita,On the plains I gathered strawberries,

222alta vaaran vaapukoita;Underneath the mountain, raspberries,

223poimin päivän, yön lepäsin.Plucked by day, at night I rested,

224Poimin päivän, poimin toisen;Plucked for one day and a second,

225päivälläpä kolmannellaAnd upon the third day likewise,

226en tiennyt kotihin tietä:But the pathway home I found not,

227tiehyt metsähän veteli,In the woods the pathways led me,

228ura saatteli salolle.And the footpath to the forest.

229"Siinä istuin jotta itkin."There I stood, and burst out weeping,

230Itkin päivän jotta toisen;Wept for one day and a second,

231päivänäpä kolmantenaAnd at length upon the third day,

232nousin suurelle mäelle,Then I climbed a mighty mountain,

233korkealle kukkulalle.To the peak of all the highest.

234Tuossa huusin, hoilaelin.On the peak I called and shouted,

235Salot vastahan saneli,And the woods made answer to me,

236kankahat kajahtelivat:While the heaths re-echoed likewise:

237'Elä huua, hullu tyttö,'Do not call, O girl so senseless,

238elä, mieletöin, melua!Shout not, void of understanding!

239Ei se kuulu kumminkana,There is no one who can hear you,

240ei kuulu kotihin huuto.'None at home to hear your shouting.'

241"Päivän päästä kolmen, neljän,"Then upon the third and fourth days,

242viien, kuuen viimeistäkiLastly on the fifth and sixth days,

243kohennihin kuolemahan,I to take my life attempted,

244heitihin katoamahan.Tried to hurl me to destruction,

245Enkä kuollut kuitenkana,But by no means did I perish,

246en mä kalkinen kaonnut!Nor could I, the wretched perish.

247"Oisin kuollut, kurja raukka,"Would that I, poor wretch, had perished,

248oisin katkennut, katala,Hapless one, had met destruction,

249äsken tuosta toisna vuonna,That the second year thereafter,

250kohta kolmanna kesänäOr the third among the summers,

251oisin heinänä helynnyt,I had shone forth as a grass-blade,

252kukoistellut kukkapäänä,As a lovely flower existed,

253maassa marjana hyvänä,On the ground a beauteous berry,

254punaisena puolukkana,Even as a scarlet cranberry,

255nämät kummat kuulematta,Then I had not heard these horrors,

256haikeat havaitsematta."Would not now have known these terrors."

257Sai toki sanoneheksi,Soon as she had finished speaking,

258kerran kertoelleheksi:And her speech had scarce completed,

259heti repsahti re'estä,Quickly from the sledge she darted,

260siitä juoksihe jokehen,And she rushed into the river,

261kosken kuohu'un kovahan,In the furious foaming cataract,

262palavahan pyörtehesen.And amid the raging whirlpool,

263Siihen surmansa sukesi,There she found the death she sought for,

264kuolemansa kohtaeli;There at length did death o'ertake her,

265löyti turvan Tuonelassa,Found in Tuonela a refuge,

266armon aaltojen seassa.In the waves she found compassion.

267Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

268pyyhältihe korjastansa,From his sledge at once descended,

269alkoi itkeä isosti,And began to weep full loudly,

270valitella vaikeasti:With a piteous lamentation.

271"Voi poloinen, päiviäni,"Woe my day, O me unhappy,

272voipa, kurja, kummiani,Woe to me, and all my household,

273kun pi'in sisarueni,For indeed my very sister,

274turmelin emoni tuoman!I my mother's child have outraged!

275Voi isoni, voi emoni,Woe my father, woe my mother,

276voi on valtavanhempani!Woe to you, my aged parents,

277Minnekä minua loitte,To what purpose have you reared me,

278kunne kannoitte katalan?Reared me up to be so wretched!

279Parempi olisin ollutFar more happy were my fortune,

280syntymättä, kasvamatta,Had I ne'er been born or nurtured,

281ilmahan sikeämättä,Never in the air been strengthened,

282maalle tälle täytymättä.Never in this world had entered.

283Eikä surma suorin tehnyt,Wrongly I by death was treated,

284tauti oike'in osannut,Nor disease has acted wisely,

285kun ei tappanut minua,That they did not fall upon me,

286kaottanut kaksiöisnä."And when two nights old destroy me."

287Veitsin länkensä levitti,With his knife he loosed the collar,

288rauoin rahnoi rahkehensa,From the sledge the chains he severed,

289hyppäsi hyvän selälle,On the horse's back he vaulted,

290hyvän laukin lautasille.On the whitefront steed he galloped,

291Ajavi palasen maata,But a little way he galloped,

292pikkaraisen piirrältävi,But a little course had traversed,

293päätyvi ison pihoille,When he reached his father's dwelling,

294oman taaton tanterelle.Reached the grass-plot of his father.

295Emo päätyvi pihalle:In the yard he found his mother,

296"Oi emoni, kantajani!"O my mother who hast borne me,

297Kun oisit, emo kuluni,O that thou, my dearest mother,

298synnyteltäissä minuaE'en as soon as thou hadst borne me,

299pannut saunahan savua,In the bath-room smoke hadst laid me,

300lyönyt saunan salpa päälle,And the bath-house doors had bolted,

301tukahuttanut savuhun,That amid the smoke I smothered,

302kaottanut kaksiöisnä,And when two nights old had perished,

303vienyt hurstilla vetehen,Smothered me among the blankets,

304upotellut uutimella,With the curtain thou hadst choked me,

305luonut tuutusen tulehen,Thrust the cradle in the fire,

306liekun lietehen sysännyt!Pushed it in the burning embers.

307"Oisiko kylä kysynyt:"If the village folk had asked thee,

308'Missä tuutunen tuvasta,'Why is in the room no cradle?

309mitä sauna salpa päällä?'Wherefore have you locked the bath-house?'

310Sinä oisit vastannunna:Then might this have been the answer:

311'Tuutusen tulessa poltin,'In the fire I burned the cradle,

312liekun liesivalkeassa.Where on hearth the fire is glowing,

313Saunassa te'in ituja,While I made the malt in bath-house,

314ma'ustelin maltahia.'"While the malt was fully sweetened.'"

315Emo ennätti kysyä,Then his mother asked him quickly,

316vanhempansa tutkaella:Asked him thus, the aged woman:

317"Mi sinulla, poikaseni,"O my son, what happened to thee,

318mikä kumma kuulumassa?What the dreadful news thou bringest?

319On kuin Tuonelta tulisit,Seems from Tuonela thou comest;

320Manalalta matkoaisit!"As from Manala thou comest."

321Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

322sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:Answered in the words which follow:

323"Jo nyt on kummat kuulununna,"Horrors now must be reported,

324turmiot tapahtununna,And most horrible misfortunes.

325kun pi'in oman sisaren,I have wronged my very sister,

326turmelin emoni tuoman!And my mother's child dishonoured.

327"Tulin viennästä vetojen,"First I went and paid the taxes,

328maarahojen maksannasta.And I also paid the land-dues,

329Päätyi neito vastahani;And by chance there came a maiden,

330mie tuota kisauttelin:And I sported with the maiden,

331se oli sisarueni,And she was my very sister,

332se oman emoni lapsi!And the child of mine own mother.

333"Se jo surmansa sukesi,"Thereupon to death she cast her,

334kuolemansa kohtaeliPlunged herself into destruction,

335kosken kuohu'un kovahan,In the furious foaming cataract,

336palavahan pyörtehesen.And amid the raging whirlpool.

337Itse en nyt tieäkänä,But I cannot now determine

338arvoa, älyäkänä,Not decide and not imagine

339kunne surmani sukean,How myself to death should cast me,

340kunne, kurja, kuoletaime:I the hapless one, should slay me,

341suuhun ulvovan sutosen,In the mouths of wolves all howling,

342karhun kiljuvan kitahanIn the throats of bears all growling,

343vainko vatsahan valahan,In the whale's vast belly perish,

344meren hauin hampahisin?"Or between the teeth of lake-pike."

Folk songs that share lines with this passage

SKVR I2 954. — Jyskyjärvi · 1835 · Elias Lönnrot

Kalevala	This song
200 enkä suurta enkä pientä,	"Enk' ole suurta, enkä pientä,
201 olen kerran keskimäistä:	Olen kerran keskimäistä,
275 Voi isoni, voi emoni,	"Voi emoni kantajani,
287 Veitsin länkensä levitti,	Veitsen länkensä levitti,

More shared lines (3)

Kalevala	This song
288 rauoin rahnoi rahkehensa,	Rauoin rahno rahkehensa.
289 hyppäsi hyvän selälle,	Hyppäsi hyvän selälle,
290 hyvän laukin lautasille.	Hyvän laukin lautasille,

SKVR I2 970. — Kontokki · 1832 · Elias Lönnrot

Kalevala	This song
200 enkä suurta enkä pientä,	"Enkä suurta, enkä pientä,
207 jos olet sukua suurta,	"Mit olet sukua suurta?"
289 hyppäsi hyvän selälle,	Hyppäsi hyvän rekeen,
290 hyvän laukin lautasille.	Hyvän laukon lautasille.

SKVR I2 978. — Vuokkiniemi · 1834 · Elias Lönnrot

Kalevala	This song
196 isoa isän aloa."	Isoa ison aloa?"
200 enkä suurta enkä pientä,	"Enkä suurta, enkä pientä,
287 Veitsin länkensä levitti,	Veitsin längensä levitti,
288 rauoin rahnoi rahkehensa,	Rauoin rahnoi rahkesa:

SKVR I2 979 a). — Vuokkiniemi · 1877 · A. A. Borenius

Kalevala	This song
199 "En ole sukua suurta,	"En ole šukuo šuurta,
209 Neiti varsin vastoavi,	Neit'i varšin vastoauve:
289 hyppäsi hyvän selälle,	Hyppäsi hyvän šelällä,
290 hyvän laukin lautasille.	Hyvän laukin lautaśella:

SKVR I2 962. — Jyskyjärvi · 1835 · Elias Lönnrot
Kalevala This song
200 enkä suurta enkä pientä, "Enkä suurta, enkä pientä,
207 jos olet sukua suurta, "Mit olet sukua suurta?"
290 hyvän laukin lautasille. Nousi laukin lautasille,

More folk songs share lines with this passage; the reader shows the closest matches of each line.

Lines 345–372

His mother dissuades him from suicide, and advises him to retire to some retreat where he may be able to recover from his remorse. But Kullervo resolves before all things to avenge himself on Untamo.

345Emo tuon sanoiksi virkki:But his mother made him answer:

346"Ellös menkö, poikaseni,"Do not go, my son, my dearest,

347suuhun ulvovan sutosen,To the mouths of wolves all howling,

348karhun kiljuvan kitahanNor to throats of bears all growling,

349eläkä vatsahan valahan,Neither to the whale's vast belly,

350hauin hirmun hampahisin!Neither to the teeth of lake-pike.

351Onpa suurta Suomen nientä,Large enough the Cape of Suomi,

352sankoa Savon rajoaWide enough are Savo's borders,

353piillä miehen pillojansa,For a man to hide from evil,

354hävetä pahoja töitä,And a criminal conceal him.

355piillä vuotta viisi, kuusi,Hide thee there for five years, six years,

356ynnähän yheksän vuotta,There for nine long years conceal thee,

357kunnes aika armon tuopi,Till a time of peace has reached thee,

358vuoet huolen huojentavi."And the years have calmed thine anguish."

359Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,

360sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:Answered in the words which follow:

361"Enkä lähe piilemähän,"Nay, I will not go in hiding,

362en, paha, pakenemahan!Fly not forth, a wicked outcast,

363Lähen surman suun esille,To the mouth of Death I wander,

364Kalman kartanon oville,To the gate of Kalma's courtyard,

365suurille sotasijoille,To the place of furious fighting,

366miesten tappotanterille:To the battle-field of heroes.

367viel' on Unto oikeana,Upright still is standing Unto,

368mies katala kaatamatta,And the wicked man unfallen,

369kostamatta taaton kohlut,Unavenged my father's sufferings,

370maammon mahlat maksamatta,Unavenged my mother's tear-drops,

371muistamatta muutki vaivat,Counting not my bitter sufferings,

372itseni hyvin-piännät."Wrongs that I myself have suffered."

Folk songs that share lines with this passage

SKVR XII2 6143. — Kittilä · 1886 · G. A. Andersson
Kalevala This song
347 suuhun ulvovan sutosen, Juoksevan sutosen suuhun,
348 karhun kiljuvan kitahan Karhun kauhean kitahan!
366 miesten tappotanterille: Miesten tappotanterille,

Kalevala	This song
347 suuhun ulvovan sutosen,	Juoksevan sutosen suuhun,
348 karhun kiljuvan kitahan	Karhun kauhean kitahan!
366 miesten tappotanterille:	Miesten tappotanterille,

About the text and the folk songs

How the songs were found: a folk song is listed under a passage when at least three lines of the passage, spread over at least four lines, can be paired one to one with lines of the song. The two lines of a pair have at least two words in common, and these make up at least half of all the different words of the two lines together. Words are compared as written, so a dialect form counts as a different word. Lines that occur five or more times in the Kalevala, such as “Kullervo, Kalervon poika”, are left out, and so are pairs whose shared words are all among the hundred commonest words of the Kalevala. The songs with the most pairs come first (among equals, the one written down earliest), and up to five are shown under each passage.

The songs were written down at different times, some before the 1849 Kalevala appeared and some after it, when singers could have learned from the book. That is why each song shows the year it was written down. Songs that the archive files as learned from the Kalevala are not listed, songs that on reading turned out to follow the printed book are left out, and doubtful cases carry a note.

A shared line does not show that Lönnrot knew or used the song: the same lines were sung by many singers in many places. For what he worked from, see the commentary in Avoin Kalevala, the Finnish Literature Society's online edition, linked from each canto page. The closest matches of each line are in the poem reader, and Runoregi, the FILTER project's research tool, also shows similar lines line by line.

The Finnish text is the 1849 Kalevala as RunoVerse's poem reader gives it. Its spelling is more modern than that of the first printing (for example Venäjän and kaitsijaksi, where the first printing has Wenäjän and kaitsiaksi), and some lines differ from it in wording. Avoin Kalevala shows the text of the first printing. Where the reader's text has a typing error, these pages correct it from the first printing. The lines are numbered as in the first printing. The English is W. F. Kirby's translation of 1907, which follows the Finnish line by line.

Written down after 1849: 2 of the 11 songs listed on this page.

Finnish text of the Kalevala from Kirjalliset runot (KR), compiled by Sakari Korpikallio at the Finnish Literature Society (SKS) in the FILTER and REFOP projects, CC BY 4.0. English translation and summaries by W. F. Kirby, 1907. Folk songs from the SKVR web service (SKVR and JR corpora, ed. Saarinen, Alén, Niku, Kallio and Stark, SKS 2024–, CC BY 4.0), each cited by its SKVR or JR number; songs in the Estonian Folklore Archives (Estonian Literary Museum) cited by their archive reference.