"In the Beginning"

"I have a good mind

take into my head

to start off singing

begin reciting

reeling off a tale of kin

and singing a tale of kind.

The words unfreeze in my mouth

and the phrases are tumbling

upon my tongue they scramble

along my teeth they scatter.

Brother dear, little brother

fair one who grew up with me

Start off now singing with me 

begin reciting with me

since we have got together

since we have come from two ways!

We seldom get together

and meet each other

on these poor borders

the luckless lands of the North. 

Let's strike hand to hand

fingers into finger-gaps

that we may sing some good things

set some of the best things Roth

for those darling ones to hear

for those with a mind to know

among the youngsters rising

among the people growing-

those words we have got

tales we have kindled from....."

( The Kalevala- Elias Lönnrot)