English version of the beloved
Finnish Christmas song "Sylvian joululaulu".
Composed by Karl Collan (1828-1871).
The composition is public domain.

English lyrics are copyright of Risto Hurskainen.
Please acquire written permission from the rights holder
(e-mail: Risto Hurskainen) for other use than private.

Singer: Swedish opera singer John Kinell (www.johnkinell.se)

Photographer: Magnus Jansheden
Proof reading: Drew Luhn, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
Storyboard: Leonardo Moreno
Lighting: Jacques Chamoun



Storyline:

A person of Finnish origin finds himself in Sicily at Christmas time.
His only companion is a bird, a blackcap (in Latin: Sylvia atricapilla,
hence the song title). While the singer admires the wonderful landscape,
the blackcap is however trapped in a cage; she does not sing anymore.
In the concluding third verse, the singer is struck by homesickness,
expressing his love for and longing to Finland.
All of a sudden, the blackcap starts singing again.

SYLVIA'S CHRISTMAS SONG

They tell me that Christmas in Northland arrived,
are their hearts now rejoicing too?
The candles are twinkling, such hope they revive
as children enchanted them view.
But here in confinement encaged is my friend,
delightful but grieving, she homewards would wend
Her song fell all silent on verdurous ground,
oh, when shall her birdsong again sweetly sound?

I dwell where Spring is all splendor and green,
where the grapes grow in lushness and pride,
and tall trees of cypress, the grandest I've seen,
are shielding the nest where I hide.
And from far beyond mountain Etna I see,
the air is so springlike as ever can be.
The scent from the fruit trees is filling the night,
how heightening, how lightening, this breathtaking sight!

Enlighten, oh brightest star in the sky
my dear Northland, so far, far away!
And when I shall slumber, when morning is nigh,
for Finland, my homeland, I pray!
In midst of these pastures, the greenness of trees,
my heart is still longing, to Finland it flees!
And hush -- from the cage where all singing was gone
now Sylvia raises her song loud and strong!

English lyrics © Risto Hurskainen 2011

Please acquire written permission from the rights holder
(e-mail: Risto Hurskainen)
for other use than private.


Finnish lyrics

SYLVIAN JOULULAULU

Ja niin joulu joutui jo taas Pohjolaan,
joulu joutui jo rintoihinkin.
Ja kuuset ne kirkkaasti luo loistoaan
jo pirtteihin pienoisihin.
Mutt' ylhäällä orressa vielä on vain
se häkki, mi sulkee mun sirkuttajain,
ja vaiennut vaikerrus on vankilan;
oi murheita muistaa ken vois laulajan.

Miss' sypressit tuoksuu nyt talvellakin,
istun oksalla uljaimman puun.
Miss' siintääpi veet, viini on vaahtovin
ja sää aina kuin toukokuun.
Ja Etnanpa kaukaa mä kauniina nään,
ah, tää kaikki hurmaa ja huumaapi pään,
ja laulelmat lempeesti lehdoissa soi,
sen runsaammat riemut ken kertoilla voi!

Sä tähdistä kirkkain, nyt loisteesi luo
sinne Suomeeni kaukaisehen!
Ja sitten kun sammuu sun tuikkesi tuo,
sä siunaa se maa muistojen!
Sen vertaista toista en mistään mä saa,
on armain ja kallein mull' ain Suomenmaa!
Ja kiitosta sen laulu soi Sylvian
ja soi aina lauluista sointuisimman.



Finnish lyrics: Martti Korpilahti (publ. 1918) /
public domain


Risto told me that embedding his video and his English text is OK for copyright reasons.