Yes, you read correctly! I am playing you the National Anthem of Finland and I even compiled a short video with images to go along with it. The reason for this rather unexpected piece of music is of course the same as every other track I post here - it has some special meaning to me.
First of all, I am proud of my country. What you also have to know about the Finns is that we are very connected to nature. When you ask us to describe an emotional state, we often connect calmness, tranquility, silence, relaxation - and things alike - with nature. Maybe it is the fact that Finland really is a nature lovers paradise. The country is filled with endless forrests and numerous lakes - they are everywhere you go. We also live in the very north and during winter we are literally at the mercy of our natural surroundings - meaning very high minus temperatures during winter, lots of snow and the likes (though this past winter was totally different due to the changing weather patterns). When summer comes, the Finns go a bit nuts. The summer season is rather short compared to many other countries so we always try to make the best of it. When the sun comes out and the nature starts to bloom, it is as if our spirit blooms as well. Finnish nature is raw, pure, simple and natural. Free of pretense. Just like the Finns. We are known for our resilience.
But this is only one reason of why I am playing our national anthem to you. The second reason is the following: when I was a young kid, we had to select two songs to sing to our music teacher at the end of semester. How we performed these songs would determine (partially) the number we would get for our certificate. So, one year I selected these two songs... First one was - yes you guessed it - our national anthem. I also selected another song, which I do not remember anymore.
I sang them pretty well at home when rehearsing with my mother - needless to say she tried to make me change them into something easier, more suitable for a child's range, but I would not hear of it! Well, my ambition kicked me in the butt and I failed miserably. I was so embarrassed and angry. I screwed them both up royally. And what made it even worse was that that particular year they recorded our singing on tape. So even today there is a tape where I sing these songs like shit! I truly hope the tape has been destroyed - though it would probably be hilarious to hear it again! So... this was the story behind this song... Enjoy the Finnish national anthem sung by a male choir, accompanied by nature images from Finland.
First of all, I am proud of my country. What you also have to know about the Finns is that we are very connected to nature. When you ask us to describe an emotional state, we often connect calmness, tranquility, silence, relaxation - and things alike - with nature. Maybe it is the fact that Finland really is a nature lovers paradise. The country is filled with endless forrests and numerous lakes - they are everywhere you go. We also live in the very north and during winter we are literally at the mercy of our natural surroundings - meaning very high minus temperatures during winter, lots of snow and the likes (though this past winter was totally different due to the changing weather patterns). When summer comes, the Finns go a bit nuts. The summer season is rather short compared to many other countries so we always try to make the best of it. When the sun comes out and the nature starts to bloom, it is as if our spirit blooms as well. Finnish nature is raw, pure, simple and natural. Free of pretense. Just like the Finns. We are known for our resilience.
But this is only one reason of why I am playing our national anthem to you. The second reason is the following: when I was a young kid, we had to select two songs to sing to our music teacher at the end of semester. How we performed these songs would determine (partially) the number we would get for our certificate. So, one year I selected these two songs... First one was - yes you guessed it - our national anthem. I also selected another song, which I do not remember anymore.
I sang them pretty well at home when rehearsing with my mother - needless to say she tried to make me change them into something easier, more suitable for a child's range, but I would not hear of it! Well, my ambition kicked me in the butt and I failed miserably. I was so embarrassed and angry. I screwed them both up royally. And what made it even worse was that that particular year they recorded our singing on tape. So even today there is a tape where I sing these songs like shit! I truly hope the tape has been destroyed - though it would probably be hilarious to hear it again! So... this was the story behind this song... Enjoy the Finnish national anthem sung by a male choir, accompanied by nature images from Finland.
Lyrics in English:
Our land, our land, our fatherland,
Sound loud, O name of worth!
No mount that meets the heaven's band.
No hidden vale, no wavewashed strand.
Is loved, as is our native North. Our own forefathers' earth.
Thy blossom, in the bud laid low,
Yet ripened shall upspring.
See! From our love once more shall grow
Thy light, thy joy, thy hope, thy glow!
And clearer yet one day shall ring The song our land shall sing.
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