Here are some translations of the songs on Anssi’s second album Suuria kuvioita. The translations probably have some grammatical errors, but the main idea – the stories – will still be the same as in original Finnish lyrics by Anssi. Only a few details have been changed by translators.
Täältä löydät joitakin käännöksia Suuria kuvioita -albumin kappaleista. Käännöksistä saattaa löytyä kieliopillisia virheitä ja joidenkin yksityiskohtien kanssa on otettu taiteellisia vapauksia, mutta tarinat on pyritty pitämään sellaisina kuin ne ovat Anssin kirjoittamissa alkuperäisteksteissä.
DADDY’S GHOST (Faijan haamu)
DISPOSABLE HEROES (Kaatuneiden muistolle)
THE LORD OF THE RING (Sormus)
THE FIRST SNOWFLAKES (Ensilumi)
Daddy’s Ghost (Faijan haamu)
It happened just about a year ago
I was driving towards my studio
and fell asleep on that two-lane motorway
woke up, saw broken glass everywhere
next to the moose fence burning – oh no
something that used to be a Volvo
between the daisies, where I lie
I’m watching the clouds slowly going by
The doctor shook his head and said:
”You shouldn’t be alive but dead
and I can’t find even a scratch
your angels have made quite a catch”
Still, something was wrong in my head
my father was standing beside the bed
couldn’t believe it, he must be fake
since he drowned in Kirkkojärvi lake
* I must have really gone mad
* cause I can see the ghost of my dad
* I never believed in ghosts
* there ain’t such things
* everyone knows that
My head was aching when the morning came
the illusion of ghost was still the same
”It wasn’t a dream!” I felt shivers of cold
Daddy’s ghost walked to me and told:
”Until now, through all these years
I’ve been watching your laughters and tears
this time I couldn’t just watch like a toad
you scratched my Volvo – badly – on a straight road!”
* I must have really gone mad
* cause I can see the ghost of my dad
* I never believed in ghosts
* there ain’t such things
* everyone knows that
Days went by, as did two weeks
the ghost of my father got pale cheeks
One morning I open my eyes and see
the ghost running around like planning to flee
Says: ”I should’t be here listening earthly cares
I’m afraid I’m an outlaw in the upstairs
Adios, I’m leaving, but don’t worry
I’ll look after you, when not in hurry”
The ghost is already fading away
I still have one question and yell: ”Hey!
What will happen when my time comes,
what’s it like up there, among the suns?”
Dad smiles, nods his head and whispers:
”There’s no cancer, only cigarettes”
* I must have really gone mad
* cause I can see the ghost of my dad
* I never believed in ghosts
* there ain’t such things
* everyone knows that
Translated by Mari
Disposable Heroes (Kaatuneiden muistolle)
Hi my dear girl I’m feeling blue
I was just dreaming of the times I spent with you
It’s cold in here
And I’m starving
Tell me how mama has been doing
Is she still heartbroken and crying
Tell her to have no fear
Tell her that I’m all right, my dear
It was new years eve last night
Now it’s the nineteen-forties, all right
Nearby not so far away
I heard shots but now everything’s okay
# I’ve seen so many things
# Lots of death and destruction
# But when I think of you
# It helps me to go on
# Come hell or high water
# Bring it all on
# Because in this country men
# Men are built to last
And guess what dear, oh joy:
One of my mates is a city boy
And he says we could move in with him
I’m sure I’d land a job
I’d take you out every night
We’d go down to the river
And into the river we’d dive
# I’ve seen so many things
# Lots of death and destruction
# But when I think of you
# It helps me to go on
# Come hell or high water
# Bring it all on
# Because in this country men
# Men are built to last
I stop when I see a soldier lying dead
Still a young boy, he has a bullet in his head
From his hands I take the letter he is holding
He was writing home but then his life came to an ending
# I’ve seen so many things
# Lots of death and destruction
# But when I think of you
# It helps me to go on
# Come hell or high water
# Bring it all on
# Because in this country men
# Men are built to last
Translated by JMN
The Lord of the Ring (Sormus)
I step in and take off my leather jacket
I leave my shoes on your door mat
This is my first time at your place
I see the paintings and the guitar case
while you are making us orange tea
We sit down by the table
I warm my hands on the hot cup
I try not to look straight into your eyes
I’m afraid of you, my heart almost dies
Just one look might set me in fire
* Tell me why can’t I have you
* Tell me why shouldn’t I love you
* What is beautiful turns out to be wrong
* I’ve got the damned ring
Let’s steal a moment or two
And be close to one another
I don’t really ask for much
All I want is your warm touch
When I hold you in my arms
I kiss your forehead, this is goodbye
This is the moment I let you go
Tie shoe laces, burdened with cares
Try not to cry, step down the stairs
My heart feels ready to be buried
* Tell me why can’t I have you
* Tell me why shouldn’t I love you
* What is beautiful turns out to be wrong
* I’ve got the damned ring
Translated by Mari
The First Snowflakes (Ensilumi)
Sneakers and a wet umbrella near the front door
with a little red toy car made of plastic
tonight the boy is sleeping with her granma’s
atmosphere is dreadfully calm in the house
a woman is sitting on the livingroom’s leather sofa
wearing her make-up and new evening dress
takes her high-heel shoes off and with her fingertip
catches a falling tear from her cheek
in the darkness of their bedroom a man is swearing
tearing purple tie off his sweaty neck
smile and laughter in the party, but when they got home
the hell got loose, the yell began again
now the words are flying in the air
hit the windows like rocks
neighbourhood’s asleep
seeing sweet dreams
* the first snowflakes fall through the darkness tonight
* change the landscape white
* thick clouds go further for a while tonight
* and the stars are bright
* endlessly and once again
* they dry tears from each others
* they were made for each others
* they are here for each others
the woman is about to break down
she really can’t take it anymore
every word has been yelled out
she stands up and hits hard the husband right in his face
the man doesn’t defend himself at all
takes the strike from his angry woman
staggers but keeps his balance
he knows he has earned this a thousand times
slowly the room gets filled with light and the dawn comes
they made it through the night
the woman reaches the man’s open hand
like drowning crabbing a life buoy
the war is over now
the fighting ground is silent again
two injured soldiers
rest in each others arms
* the first snowflakes fall through the darkness tonight
* change the landscape white
* thick clouds go further for a while tonight
* and the stars are bright
* endlessly and once again
* they dry tears from each others
* they were made for each others
* they are here for each others
Translated by Mari