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Kalevala, runo 36 (canto 36)

Kullervo, Kalervon poika

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

What happens in this canto

  1. Lines 1–154 Kullervo prepares for war and leaves home joyfully, for no one but his mother is sorry that he is going to his death.
  2. Lines 155–250 He comes to Untamola, lays waste the whole district, and burns the homestead.
  3. Lines 251–296 On returning home he finds his home deserted, and no living thing about the place but an old black dog, with which he goes into the forest to shoot game for food.
  4. Lines 297–360 While traversing the forest he arrives at the place where he met his sister, and ends his remorse by killing himself with his own sword.

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

Lines 1–154

Kullervo prepares for war and leaves home joyfully, for no one but his mother is sorry that he is going to his death.

Finnish, 1849English, W. F. Kirby, 1907
1Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
2sinisukka äijön lapsi,With the very bluest stockings,
3siitä suorikse sotahan,Now prepared himself for battle,
4vainotielle valmistaikse.And prepared himself for warfare.
5Hioi hetken miekkoansa,For an hour his sword he sharpened,
6toisen keihoa teroitti.Sharpened spear-points for another.
7Emo tuon sanoiksi virkki:Then his mother spoke unto him,
8"Ellös, poikani poloinen,"Do not go, my son unhappy,
9saako suurehen sotahan,Go not to this mighty battle,
10menkö miekan melskehesen!Go not where the swords are clashing!
11Ken suotta sotahan saapi,He who goes for nought to battle,
12tahallansa tappelohon,He who wilful seeks the combat,
13se soassa surmatahan,In the fight shall find his death-wound,
14tapetahan tappelossa,And shall perish in the conflict,
15miekkoihin menetetähän,By the sword-blades shall he perish,
16kalpoihinsa kaaetahan.Thus shall fall, and thus shall perish.
17"Lähet vuohella sotahan,"If against a goat thou fightest,
18kaurihilla tappelohon.And wouldst meet in fight a he-goat,
19Pian vuohi voitetahan,Then the goat will overcome thee,
20kauris kaatahan likahan:In the mud the he-goat cast thee,
21tulet koiralla kotihin,That like dog thou home returnest,
22sammakolla saat piha'an."Like a frog returnest homeward."
23Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
24sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:Answered in the words which follow:
25"En mä silloin suohon sorru"In the swamps I shall not sink me,
26enkä kaau kankahalle,Nor upon the heath will stumble,
27korppien kotisijoille,In the dwelling-place of ravens,
28variksien vainioille,In the fields where crows are croaking.
29kun sorrun sotatiloille,If I perish in the battle,
30vaivun vainotanterille.Sinking on the field of battle,
31Somap' on sotahan kuolla,Noble 'tis to fall in battle,
32kaunis miekan kalskehesen!Fine 'mid clash of swords to perish,
33Sorea sotainen tauti:Exquisite the battle-fever,
34äkin poika pois tulevi,Quickly hence a youth it hurries,
35potematta pois menevi,Takes him quickly forth from evil,
36laihtumatta lankeavi."There he falls no more to hunger."
37Tuon emo sanoiksi virkki:Then his mother spoke and answered,
38"Kun sinä sotahan kuolet,"If you perish in the battle,
39mitä jääpi taatollesiWho shall cater for your father,
40vanhan päivänsä varaksi?"And shall tend the old man daily?"
41Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
42sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:Answered in the words that follow:
43"Kuolkohon kujarikoille,"Let him perish on the dust-heap,
44kaatukohon kartanolle!"Leave him in the yard to perish."
45"Mitä jääpi maammollesi"Who shall cater for your mother,
46vanhan päivänsä varaksi?"And shall tend the old dame daily?"
47"Kuolkohon kupo sylihin,"Let her die upon a haycock,
48läävähän läkähtyköhön!"In the cowshed let her stifle."
49"Mitä jääpi veikollesi"Who shall cater for thy brother,
50päivän vastaisen varaksi?"Tend him day by day in future?"
51"Metsähän menettyköhön,"Let him perish in the forest,
52vainiolle vaipukohon!"Let him faint upon the meadow."
53"Mitä jääpi siskollesi"Who shall cater for thy sister,
54päivän vastaisen varaksi?"Tend her day by day in future?"
55"Kaivotielle kaatukohon,"Let her fall in well, and perish,
56sotkutielle sortukohon!"Let her fall into the wash-tub."
57Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
58kohta lähtevi ko'ista.Just as he his home was leaving,
59Sanovi sanan isolle:Spoke these words unto his father:
60"Hyvästi, hyvä isoni!"Now farewell, O noble father!
61Itketkö sinä minua,Shall you perhaps be weeping sorely,
62koskas kuulet kuolleheksi,If you hear that I have perished,
63kansasta kaonneheksi,And have vanished from the people,
64sortuneheksi su'usta?"And have perished in the battle?"
65Tuon isä sanoiksi virkki:Then his father gave him answer:
66"En minä sinua itke,"Not for thee shall I be weeping,
67jospa kuulen kuolleheksi:If I hear that you have perished,
68poika toinen tehtänehe,For another son I'll rear me,
69poika paljoa parempi,And a better son will rear me,
70äijeä älykkähämpi."And a son by far more clever."
71Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
72sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:Answered in the words which follow:
73"Enkä itke mie sinua,"Nor for you shall I be weeping,
74kuulisinko kuolleheksi.If I hear that you have perished.
75Saan minä mokoman taaton:I will make me such a father,
76suun savesta, pään kivestä,Mouth of clay, and head of stonework,
77silmät suolta karpaloista,Eyes of cranberries from the marshes,
78parran kuivista kuloista,And a beard of withered stubble,
79jalat raian haarukasta,Legs of willow-twigs will make him,
80muun lihan lahosta puusta."Flesh of rotten trees will make him."
81Virkkoi siitä veikollensa:Then he spoke unto his brother:
82"Jää hyvästi, veikkoseni!"Now farewell, my dearest brother.
83Itketkö sinä minua,Shall you weep for my destruction,
84koskas kuulet kuolleheksi,If you hear that I have perished,
85kansasta kaonneheksi,And have vanished from the people,
86sortuneheksi su'usta?"And have fallen in the battle?"
87Veikko tuon sanoiksi virkki:But his brother gave him answer,
88"En itke minä sinua,"Not for you shall I be weeping,
89josko kuulen kuolleheksi:If I hear that you have perished.
90veli toinen saatanehe,I will find myself a brother,
91veli paljoa parempi,Better brother far than thou art,
92kahta mointa kaunihimpi."And a brother twice as handsome."
93Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
94sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:Answered in the words which follow:
95"Enkä itke mie sinua,"Nor for you shall I be weeping,
96kuulisinko kuolleheksi.If I hear that you have perished.
97Saan minä mokoman veljen:I will make me such a brother,
98pään kivestä, suun savesta,Head of stone, and mouth of sallow,
99silmät suolta karpaloista,Eyes of cranberries I will make him,
100hiukset kuivista kuloista,Make him hair of withered stubble,
101jalat raian haarukasta,Legs of willow-twigs will make him,
102muun lihan lahosta puusta."Flesh of rotten trees will make him."
103Sanoi siitä siskollensa:Then he spoke unto his sister,
104"Hyvästi, sisarueni!"Now farewell, my dearest sister.
105Itketkö sinä minua,Shall you weep for my destruction,
106koskas kuulet kuolleheksi,If you hear that I have perished,
107kansasta kaonneheksi,And have vanished from the people,
108sortuneheksi su'usta?"And have perished in the battle?"
109Noin sisar sanoiksi virkki:But his sister gave him answer:
110"En itke minä sinua,"Not for you shall I be weeping,
111josko kuulen kuolleheksi:If I hear that you have perished.
112veli toinen saatanehe,I will find myself a brother,
113veli paljoa parempi,Better brother far than thou art,
114äijeä älykkähämpi."And a brother far more clever."
115Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
116sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:Answered in the words which follow:
117"Enkä itke mie sinua,"Nor for you shall I be weeping,
118kuulisinko kuolleheksi.If I hear that you have perished.
119Saan minä mokoman siskon:I will make me such a sister,
120pään kivestä, suun savesta,Head of stone and mouth of sallow,
121silmät suolta karpaloista,Eyes of cranberries I will make her,
122hiukset kuivista kuloista,Make her hair of withered stubble,
123korvat lammin lumpehista,Ears of water-lily make her,
124varren vaahteren vesasta."And of maple make her body."
125Sanoi siitä äitillensä:Then he said unto his mother,
126"Äitiseni, armaiseni,"O my mother, O my dearest,
127minun kaunis kantajani,Thou the fair one who hast borne me,
128kultainen kulettajani!Thou the golden one who nursed me,
129Itketkö sinä minua,Shalt thou weep for my destruction,
130koskas kuulet kuolleheksi,Shouldst thou hear that I have perished,
131kansasta kaonneheksi,And have vanished from the people,
132sortuneheksi su'usta?"And have perished in the battle?"
133Tuon emo sanoiksi virkki,Then his mother gave him answer,
134itse lausui, noin nimesi:And she spoke the words which follow:
135"Et älyä äitin mieltä,"Not thou knowest a mother's feelings,
136arvoa emon syäntä.Nor a mother's heart esteemest.
137Itkenpä minä sinua,I shall weep for thy destruction,
138kun sun kuulen kuolleheksi,If I hear that thou hast perished,
139väestä vähenneheksi,And from out the people vanished,
140sortuneheksi su'usta:And have perished in the battle;
141itken tulville tupamme,Weep until the house is flooded,
142siltalauat lainehille,Weep until the floor is swimming,
143kujat kaikki kuurullani,Weep until the paths are hidden,
144läävät länkämöisilläni;And with tears the cowsheds weighted,
145lumet itken iljeniksi,Weep until the snows are slippery,
146iljenet suliksi maiksi,Till the ground is bare and slippery,
147sulat maat vihottaviksi,Lands unfrozen teem with verdure,
148vihottavat viereviksi.And my tears flow through the greenness.
149"Mit' en itkeä ilenne,"If I cannot keep on weeping,
150kut' en voine voivotella,And no strength is left for grieving,
151itkeä inehmisissä,Weeping in the people's presence,
152itken saunassa saloa,I will weep in bath-room hidden,
153yliset kulasvesille,Till the seats with tears are flowing,
154saunan lauat lainehille."And the flooring all is flooded."

Folk songs that share lines with this passage

  1. SKVR XIII1 457. — Rautu · 1892 · A. Leino

    KalevalaThis song
    25 "En mä silloin suohon sorruSuohon en mie silloin sorru,
    28 variksien vainioille,Vainioille variksien,
    31 Somap' on sotahan kuolla,Soma on sotahan kuolla,
    32 kaunis miekan kalskehesen!Kaunis miekan kalskehesen;
    More shared lines (2)
    KalevalaThis song
    35 potematta pois menevi,Potematta pois menevi,
    36 laihtumatta lankeavi."Laihtumatta lankeavi,

  2. SKVR VII1 933 a. — Ilomantsi · 1846 · A. E. Ahlqvist

    KalevalaThis song
    17 "Lähet vuohella sotahan,suottasi lähet sotahan,
    61 Itketkö sinä minua,"Itketkö, iso, minua,
    66 "En minä sinua itke,"En itke minä sinua:
    137 Itkenpä minä sinua,"Itkenpä minä sinua,
    More shared lines (1)
    KalevalaThis song
    138 kun sun kuulen kuolleheksi,kun on kuulen kuolleheksi etc.,

  3. SKVR VII1 932. — Liperi · 1846 · A. E. Ahlqvist

    KalevalaThis song
    61 Itketkö sinä minua,"Itketkö sinä minua" etc.
    66 "En minä sinua itke,"En itke minä sinua:
    88 "En itke minä sinua,"En itke minä sinua" etc.
    137 Itkenpä minä sinua,"Itkempä minä sinua,

  4. SKVR VI1 30. — Juva · 1871 · K. A. Gottlund

    KalevalaThis song
    60 "Hyvästi, hyvä isoni!Hyvästi hyvä isäni,
    61 Itketkö sinä minua,Itkeskös sinä minua,
    66 "En minä sinua itke,En minä sinua itke,
    127 minun kaunis kantajani,*Minun kaunis kantajani,

  5. SKVR VII1 933. — Ilomantsi · 1838 · Elias Lönnrot

    KalevalaThis song
    61 Itketkö sinä minua,"Itketkö ⌈sinä⌉ minua,
    66 "En minä sinua itke,"En itke minä sinua:
    138 kun sun kuulen kuolleheksi,Kun sun kuulen" etc.

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

Lines 155–250

He comes to Untamola, lays waste the whole district, and burns the homestead.

155Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
156sinisukka äijön lapsi,With the very bluest stockings,
157läksi soitellen sotahan,Went with music forth to battle,
158iloitellen tappelohon.Joyfully he sought the conflict,
159Soitti suolla, soitti maalla,Playing tunes through plains and marshes,
160kajahutti kankahalla,Shouting over all the heathland,
161rojahutti ruohokossa,Crashing onwards through the meadows,
162kulahutteli kulossa.Trampling down the fields of stubble.
163Vieri viestinen jälestä,And a messenger o'ertook him,
164sai sanoma korvihinsa:In his ear these words he whispered:
165"Jo iso kotona kuoli,"At thy home has died thy father,
166vaipui valtavanhempasi.And thy aged parent perished.
167Käypäs tuota katsomahan,Now return to gaze upon him,
168kuten kuollut hauatahan!"And arrange for his interment."
169Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
170hänpä varsin vastaeli:Made him answer on the instant:
171"Kun lie kuollut, kuolkahansa!"Is he dead, so let him perish.
172On meillä kotona ruuna,In the house there is a gelding,
173millä maahan vietäkähän,Which unto the grave can drag him,
174kalmahan katettakahan!"And can sink him down to Kalma."
175Soitti suolla mennessänsä,Played he, as he passed the marshes,
176patakoitteli palolla.And he shouted in the clearings,
177Vieri viestinen jälestä,And a messenger o'ertook him,
178sai sanoma korvihinsa:In his ear these words he whispered:
179"Jo veli kotona kuoli,"At thy home has died thy brother,
180vaipui lapsi vanhempasi.And thy parent's child has perished.
181Käypäs tuota katsomahan,Now return to gaze upon him,
182kuten kuollut hauatahan!"And arrange for his interment."
183Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
184hänpä varsin vastaeli:Made him answer on the instant:
185"Kun lie kuollut, kuolkahansa!"Is he dead, so let him perish.
186On siellä ori kotona,In the house there is a stallion,
187millä maahan vietäkähän,Which unto the grave can drag him,
188kalmahan katettakahan!"And can sink him down to Kalma."
189Soitti suolla käyessänsä,Through the marshes passed he, playing,
190kullervoitsi kuusikossa.Blew his horn amidst the fir-woods,
191Vieri viestinen jälestä,And a messenger o'ertook him,
192sai sanoma korvihinsa:In his ear these words he whispered:
193"Jo sisar kotona kuoli,"At thy home has died thy sister,
194vaipui lapsi vanhempasi.And thy parent's child has perished.
195Käypäs tuota katsomahan,Now return to gaze upon her,
196kuten kuollut hauatahan!"And arrange for her interment."
197Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
198hänpä varsin vastaeli:Made him answer on the instant:
199"Kun lie kuollut, kuolkahansa!"Is she dead, so let her perish.
200On meillä kotona tamma,In the house a mare is waiting,
201millä maahan vietäkähän,Which unto the grave can drag her,
202kalmahan katettakahan!"And can sink her down to Kalma."
203Kulaten kulossa astui,Through the meadows marched he shouting,
204heläellen heinikossa.In the grassfields he was shouting,
205Vieri viestinen jälestä,And a messenger o'ertook him,
206sai sanoma korvihinsa:In his ear these words he whispered:
207"Kuoli ehtoinen emosi,"Now has died thy tender mother,
208kaatui maire maammuesi.And thy darling mother perished.
209Käypäs tuota katsomahan,Now return to gaze upon her,
210miten miero hautoavi!"And arrange for her interment."
211Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
212sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:Answered in the words which follow:
213"Voi minä poloinen poika,"Woe to me, a youth unhappy,
214kun kuoli emo minulta,For my mother now has perished,
215uupui uutimen tekijä,Wearied as she made the curtains,
216vaipui vaipan kirjoittaja,And the counterpane embroidered.
217pitkän piustan kehreäjä,With her long spool she was working,
218väkivärttinän vetäjä;As she turned around her spindle.
219enk' ollut luona luopuessa,I was not at her departure,
220läsnä hengen lähtiessä!Near her when her soul was parting.
221Lie kuollut kovin viluhunPerhaps the cold was great and killed her,
222vainko leivän puuttehesen?Or perchance was bread too scanty.
223"Kuollut koissa pestäköhön"In the house with care, O wash her,
224Saksan saippuavesillä,With the Saxon soap, the finest,
225silkkihin si'eltäköhön,Wind her then in silken wrappings,
226palttinoihin pantakohon!Wrap her in the finest linen,
227Siitä maahan vietäköhön,Thus unto the grave convey her,
228kalmahan katettakohon,Sink her gently down to Kalma,
229itkuvirsin vietäköhön,Then upraise the songs of mourning,
230laulaen lasettakohon!Let resound the songs of mourning,
231En vielä kotihin joua:For not yet can I turn homeward,
232viel' on Unto kostamatta,Untamo is still unfallen,
233mies katala kaatamatta,Yet unfelled the man of evil,
234ilkeä hävittämättä."Undestroyed is yet the villain."
235Meni soitellen sotahan,Forth he went to battle, playing,
236ilon lyöen Untolahan.Went to Untola rejoicing,
237Sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:And he said the words which follow:
238"Oi Ukko, ylijumala!"Ukko, thou, of Gods the highest,
239Jos nyt mulle miekan saisitGive me now a sword befitting,
240sekä kalvan kaunihimman,Give me now a sword most splendid,
241joka joukolle pitäisi,Which were worth an army to me,
242saattaisi satalu'ulle!"Though a hundred came against me."
243Saip' on miekan mielehisen,Then the sword he asked was granted,
244kalvan kaikkien parahan,And a sword of all most splendid,
245jolla kaatoi kaiken kansan,And he slaughtered all the people,
246joukon Untamon hävitti.Untamo's whole tribe he slaughtered,
247Tuvat poltteli poroksi,Burned the houses all to ashes,
248kypeniksi kyyetteli:And with flame completely burned them,
249kivet jätti kiukahista,Leaving nothing but the hearthstones,
250pitkän pihlajan pihoista.Nought but in each yard the rowan.

Folk songs that share lines with this passage

  1. SKVR VII1 904. — Suistamo · 1847 · R. Polén

    KalevalaThis song
    157 läksi soitellen sotahan,Läksi soitellen sotahan,
    159 Soitti suolla, soitti maalla,Soitti suolla mennessänsä,
    160 kajahutti kankahalla,Kajahutti kankahalla
    165 "Jo iso kotona kuoli,"Jo siskos kotona kuoli!"
    More shared lines (1)
    KalevalaThis song
    179 "Jo veli kotona kuoli,"Jo vaimos kotona kuoli!"

  2. SKVR I2 1000. — Vuokkiniemi · 1834 · Elias Lönnrot

    KalevalaThis song
    157 läksi soitellen sotahan,Läksi soitellen sotaan,
    159 Soitti suolla, soitti maalla,Soitti suolla mennessään,
    170 hänpä varsin vastaeli:Varsin vastaeli:
    235 Meni soitellen sotahan,Meni soitellen sotaan,

  3. SKVR I2 1002. — Vuokkiniemi · 1834 · Elias Lönnrot

    KalevalaThis song
    157 läksi soitellen sotahan,Läksi soitellen sotaan,
    172 On meillä kotona ruuna,"On hän kotona ruuna,
    173 millä maahan vietäkähän,Millä maahan vietäöhö,
    186 On siellä ori kotona,"On ori kotona ollut,

  4. SKVR VII1 654 a. — Ilomantsi · 1846 · A. E. Ahlqvist

    KalevalaThis song
    157 läksi soitellen sotahan,läksi taitellen sotahan,
    159 Soitti suolla, soitti maalla,soitti suolla mennessänsä,
    160 kajahutti kankahalla,kajahutti kankahalla;
    244 kalvan kaikkien parahan,kilven kaikkien parahan

  5. SKVR V1 686. — Lempaala · 1854 · Kaarlo Slöör

    KalevalaThis song
    165 "Jo iso kotona kuoli,Jo emo kotona kuoli,
    220 läsnä hengen lähtiessä!Läsnä hengen lähtehessä,
    221 Lie kuollut kovin viluhunVain lie kuollut kovin viluun
    231 En vielä kotihin joua:En minä kotihin joua,

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

Lines 251–296

On returning home he finds his home deserted, and no living thing about the place but an old black dog, with which he goes into the forest to shoot game for food.

251Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
252jo tuosta kotihin kääntyiThen to his own home retired,
253ison entisen tuville,To his father's former dwelling,
254vanhempansa vainioille:To the home-fields of his parents.
255tupa on tyhjä tultuansa,Empty did he find the homestead,
256autio avattuansa;Desolate the open places;
257ei tulla likistämähän,No one forward came to greet him,
258käyä kättä antamahan.No one came his hand to offer.
259Antoi kättä hiilokselle:To the hearth he stretched his hand out,
260hiilet kylmät hiiloksessa.On the hearth the coals were frozen,
261Tuosta tunsi tultuansa:And he knew on his arrival,
262ei ole emo elossa.That his mother was not living.
263Pisti kättä kiukahalle:To the stove he stretched his hand out,
264kivet kylmät kiukahassa.At the stove the stones were frozen,
265Tuosta tunsi tultuansa:And he knew on his arrival,
266ei ole iso elossa.That his father was not living.
267Loi on silmät sillan päälle:On the floor his eyes then casting,
268silta kaikki siivomatta.All he noticed in confusion,
269Tuosta tunsi tultuansa:And he knew on his arrival,
270ei ole sisar elossa.That his sister was not living.
271Vieri valkamavesille:To the mooring-place he hastened,
272ei venettä valkamassa.But no boats were at their moorings,
273Tuosta tunsi tultuansa:And he knew on his arrival,
274ei ole veli elossa.That his brother was not living.
275Loihe siitä itkemähän;Thereupon he broke out weeping,
276itki päivän, itki toisen.And he wept one day, a second,
277Itse tuon sanoiksi virkki:And he spoke the words which follow:
278"Oi on ehtoinen emoni!"O my mother, O my dearest,
279Mitäs mulle tänne heititHast thou left me nought behind thee,
280eläessä tällä maalla?When thou livedst in this country?
281"Et kuule, emo, minua,"But thou hearest not, O mother,
282jos ma silmillä siherränEven though my eyes are sobbing,
283eli kulmilla kujerran,And my temples are lamenting,
284päälaella lausuelen!"And my head is all complaining."
285Emo hauasta havasi,In the grave his mother wakened,
286alta mullan muistuttavi:And beneath the mould made answer:
287"Jäihän multa Musti koira"Still there lives the black dog, Musti,
288käyäksesi metsämaille.Go with him into the forest,
289Ota koirasi keralle,At thy side let him attend thee,
290mene tuonne metsämaille,Take him to the wooded country,
291ylös korpehen kohoaWhere the forest rises thickest,
292metsän tyttöjen tyköhön,Where reside the forest-maidens,
293sinipiikojen pihalle,Where the Blue Maids have their dwelling,
294havulinnan liepehille,And the birds frequent the pine-trees,
295evähiä etsimähän,There to seek for their assistance,
296antia anelemahan!"And to seek to win their favour."

Folk songs that share lines with this passage

  1. SKVR VII2 1003. — Suistamo · 1846 · A. E. Ahlqvist

    KalevalaThis song
    257 ei tulla likistämähän,ei tultu likistämähän,
    259 Antoi kättä hiilokselle:annoin kättä hiilokselle,
    260 hiilet kylmät hiiloksessa.hiilet kylmät hiiloksessa;
    262 ei ole emo elossa.ei ole äitini elossa,
    More shared lines (2)
    KalevalaThis song
    264 kivet kylmät kiukahassa.kivet kylmät kiukoassa;
    266 ei ole iso elossa.ei ole isä elossa,

  2. SKVR VII2 1004. — Suistamo · 1846 · A. E. Ahlqvist

    KalevalaThis song
    259 Antoi kättä hiilokselle:annan kättä hiilokselle,
    260 hiilet kylmät hiiloksessa.vilut hiilet hiiloksessa;
    262 ei ole emo elossa.ei ole emo elossa,
    264 kivet kylmät kiukahassa.kivet kylmät kiukoassa;

  3. SKVR VII2 1016. — Suojärvi · 1845 · D. E. D. Europaeus

    KalevalaThis song
    259 Antoi kättä hiilokselle:Annoin kättä hiilokselle:
    260 hiilet kylmät hiiloksessa.Vilut hiilet hiiloksessa;
    264 kivet kylmät kiukahassa.Kivet kylmät kiukovassa.

Lines 297–360

While traversing the forest he arrives at the place where he met his sister, and ends his remorse by killing himself with his own sword.

297Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
298otti koiransa keralle,At his side the black dog taking,
299läksi tietä telkkimähän,Tracked his path through trees of forest,
300korpehen kohoamahan.Where the forest rose the thickest.
301Kävi matkoa vähäisen,But a short way had he wandered,
302astui tietä pikkaraisen;But a little way walked onward,
303tuli tuolle saarekselle,When he reached the stretch of forest,
304tuolle paikalle tapahtui,Recognized the spot before him,
305kuss' oli piian pillannunna,Where he had seduced the maiden,
306turmellut emonsa tuoman.And his mother's child dishonoured.
307Siin' itki ihana nurmi,There the tender grass was weeping,
308aho armahin valitti,And the lovely spot lamenting,
309nuoret heinät hellitteli,And the young grass was deploring,
310kuikutti kukat kanervanAnd the flowers of heath were grieving,
311tuota piian pillamusta,For the ruin of the maiden,
312emon tuoman turmelusta:For the mother's child's destruction.
313eikä nousnut nuori heinä,Neither was the young grass sprouting,
314kasvanut kanervan kukka,Nor the flowers of heath expanding,
315ylennyt sijalla sillä,Nor the spot had covered over,
316tuolla paikalla pahalla,Where the evil thing had happened,
317kuss' oli piian pillannunna,Where he had seduced the maiden,
318emon tuoman turmellunna.And his mother's child dishonoured.
319Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
320tempasi terävän miekan;Grasped the sharpened sword he carried,
321katselevi, kääntelevi,Looked upon the sword and turned it,
322kyselevi, tietelevi.And he questioned it and asked it,
323Kysyi mieltä miekaltansa,And he asked the sword's opinion,
324tokko tuon tekisi mieliIf it was disposed to slay him,
325syöä syyllistä lihoa,To devour his guilty body,
326viallista verta juoa.And his evil blood to swallow.
327Miekka mietti miehen mielen,Understood the sword his meaning,
328arvasi uron pakinan.Understood the hero's question,
329Vastasi sanalla tuolla:And it answered him as follows:
330"Miks' en söisi mielelläni,"Wherefore at thy heart's desire
331söisi syyllistä lihoa,Should I not thy flesh devour,
332viallista verta joisi?And drink up thy blood so evil?
333Syön lihoa syyttömänki,I who guiltless flesh have eaten,
334juon verta viattomanki."Drank the blood of those who sinned not?"
335Kullervo, Kalervon poika,Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring,
336sinisukka äijön lapsi,With the very bluest stockings,
337pään on peltohon sysäsi,On the ground the haft set firmly,
338perän painoi kankahasen,On the heath the hilt pressed tightly,
339kären käänti rintahansa,Turned the point against his bosom,
340itse iskihe kärelle.And upon the point he threw him,
341Siihen surmansa sukesi,Thus he found the death he sought for,
342kuolemansa kohtaeli.Cast himself into destruction.
343Se oli surma nuoren miehen,Even so the young man perished,
344kuolo Kullervo urohon,Thus died Kullervo the hero,
345loppu ainakin urosta,Thus the hero's life was ended,
346kuolema kovaosaista.Perished thus the hapless hero.
347Silloin vanha Väinämöinen,Then the aged Väinämöinen,
348kunpa kuuli kuolleheksi,When he heard that he had perished,
349Kullervon kaonneheksi,And that Kullervo had fallen,
350sanan virkkoi, noin nimesi:Spoke his mind in words that follow:
351"Elkötte, etinen kansa,"Never, people, in the future,
352lasta kaltoin kasvatelkoRear a child in crooked fashion,
353luona tuhman tuuittajan,Rocking them in stupid fashion,
354vierahan väsyttelijän!Soothing them to sleep like strangers.
355Lapsi kaltoin kasvattama,Children reared in crooked fashion,
356poika tuhmin tuuittamaBoys thus rocked in stupid fashion,
357ei tule älyämähän,Grow not up with understanding,
358miehen mieltä ottamahan,Nor attain to man's discretion,
359vaikka vanhaksi eläisi,Though they live till they are aged,
360varreltansa vahvistuisi."And in body well-developed."

Folk songs that share lines with this passage

  1. SKVR I2 1015. — Pistojärvi · 1894 · I. K. Inha

    KalevalaThis song
    301 Kävi matkoa vähäisen,Siirty matkoa vähäisen,
    302 astui tietä pikkaraisen;Kulki tietä pikkaraisen,
    316 tuolla paikalla pahalla,Tuolla mielellä pahalla,

  2. SKVR I4 2138. — Uhtua · 1918 · Eino Kemppainen

    KalevalaThis song
    302 astui tietä pikkaraisen;'Mäni tietä pikkaraisen:'
    329 Vastasi sanalla tuolla:Sanoipa sanalla tuolla:
    343 Se oli surma nuoren miehen,'Se oli surma lapsen surma'
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: 5 of the 15 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.