Fool am I and great my folly
Having neither wit nor judgment
Surely once I had some knowledge
Had some insight into wisdom
Now my virtues all have gone
In these mournful days of evil
Vanished with my youth and sense
All my prudence gone to others
Aino, whom I love and cherish
All these years have sought to honor
Aino, now Wellamo's maiden
Promised bride of mine forever
Now my virtues all have gone
In these mournful days of evil
Vanished with my youth and sense
All my prudence gone to others
Caught her in Wellamo's grotto
Led her to my boat of copper
With my fish-line made of silver
But alas I could not keep her
Now too late to woo and win her
Let her slip between my fingers
To the home of water-maidens
To the kingdom of Wellamo
What has changed the cuckoo's calling
Sorrow must have stilled his singing
As I hear him sing no longer
As I hear him sing no more