The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
[ASKELMILLA]
[esinäytös]
[MAAILMALLE]
Kuun vielä varttuessa
kulki kuiskaus päällä veen kaukaa.
Aallot levotonna löivät
vasten sateen pieksemää rantaa.
Kauan hiljaisia lienneet
salot alla pohjoisen taivaan.
Vain yksinäinen vire tuulen soi.
Keihäs karhunkaatajan
maassa saaliin vierellä vartoi
vaiti suurta laivaa saapuvaa.
Ei kukaan tiennyt nähdä sarastukseen
ja päivä laski taas.
Kuulkaa huuto korppien
halki taivaiden,
näin saapuu tuho jumalten
maailmaamme.
On tullut se aika jolloin auringon pyörä
veren vuodatuksesta katkeaa.
Liput kauniit liehuen
airut rantakiville astuu.
He miekoin meitä tervehtivät,
vapaudesta puhua saavat.
Loimet vieraat yllänsä
puiseen ristiin veriveli tarttuu.
Hän suden mahdin mielii taltuttaa.
Keihäs karhunkaatajan
vastaan käärmekieltä nyt nousee
ja iskee läpi kurjan sydämen.
Vaan eivät sankarit enää nouse raunioille
ja laulumme tuuli vie.
Kuulkaa suru metsien
halki aikojen,
on pyhät kivet kaadettu
ja kansa voipunut.
Valtaa kuoleman sylistä
uhmaa teräs välkkyen.
Tuoni käsissä jumalten,
maine miehen ikuinen.
Jo syttyvät nuo soihdut, ne ruumiit kärventävät
ja syyttömien sielut tuomitaan.
Kuinka riistävät he jumalat nyt viereltämme,
vaikenevat tuhannet edessä murhaajan.
Kirveenkuva rinnalla
karhun lailla taistellen,
Ukon voima sydämessä
vielä kaatuu viimeinen.
[RAUNIOILLA]
[loppunäytös]
_____________________________________
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
[AT THE RUINS]
[AT THE FOOTSTEPS]
[prologue]
[TO THE WORLD]
Under the growing moon
there drifted a whisper with a distant stream.
Waves beating restlessly
the tired rain-lashed shore.
For long the wilds under the northern sky
silent may have been.
Resounded only with a breath of wind.
The spear of a bear-hunter
lay on the ground by its prey.
Awaiting the arrival of a craft.
Yet no one foresaw the dawning
and thus set another day.
Hearken to the ravens' cry
across all heavens.
Behold as the gods
of our world fall.
It is time for the wheel of the sun
to break by the flow of blood.
Under such fair colours
the harbringer steps ashore.
By a sword his companions salute us,
yet of freedom they may speak.
Dressed in strangest garment
claimed kindred grasps a wooden cross.
What strength in wolves he wishes to tame.
The spear of a bear-hunter
now risen against the serpent's tongue.
Striking through the vile heart.
Yet no hero shall rise on the ruins
and our song may drift with the wind.
Hear the sorrow of the woods
across all known times.
Sacred stones are overturned
and the folk so weary.
Steel agleam defies sway
on the lap of death.
Demise in the hands of gods,
a worthy name forever spoken.
And lo! the torches lit scorching carnage,
condemning all the guiltless souls.
How dare they bereave us our gods,
now thousands fall silent at murder.
Sign of the hammer on a warrior's chest
he battles like a bear.
With strength of Ukko deep in his heart
the last man now may fall.
[AT THE RUINS]
[epilogue]
[esinäytös]
[MAAILMALLE]
Kuun vielä varttuessa
kulki kuiskaus päällä veen kaukaa.
Aallot levotonna löivät
vasten sateen pieksemää rantaa.
Kauan hiljaisia lienneet
salot alla pohjoisen taivaan.
Vain yksinäinen vire tuulen soi.
Keihäs karhunkaatajan
maassa saaliin vierellä vartoi
vaiti suurta laivaa saapuvaa.
Ei kukaan tiennyt nähdä sarastukseen
ja päivä laski taas.
Kuulkaa huuto korppien
halki taivaiden,
näin saapuu tuho jumalten
maailmaamme.
On tullut se aika jolloin auringon pyörä
veren vuodatuksesta katkeaa.
Liput kauniit liehuen
airut rantakiville astuu.
He miekoin meitä tervehtivät,
vapaudesta puhua saavat.
Loimet vieraat yllänsä
puiseen ristiin veriveli tarttuu.
Hän suden mahdin mielii taltuttaa.
Keihäs karhunkaatajan
vastaan käärmekieltä nyt nousee
ja iskee läpi kurjan sydämen.
Vaan eivät sankarit enää nouse raunioille
ja laulumme tuuli vie.
Kuulkaa suru metsien
halki aikojen,
on pyhät kivet kaadettu
ja kansa voipunut.
Valtaa kuoleman sylistä
uhmaa teräs välkkyen.
Tuoni käsissä jumalten,
maine miehen ikuinen.
Jo syttyvät nuo soihdut, ne ruumiit kärventävät
ja syyttömien sielut tuomitaan.
Kuinka riistävät he jumalat nyt viereltämme,
vaikenevat tuhannet edessä murhaajan.
Kirveenkuva rinnalla
karhun lailla taistellen,
Ukon voima sydämessä
vielä kaatuu viimeinen.
[RAUNIOILLA]
[loppunäytös]
_____________________________________
[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]
[AT THE RUINS]
[AT THE FOOTSTEPS]
[prologue]
[TO THE WORLD]
Under the growing moon
there drifted a whisper with a distant stream.
Waves beating restlessly
the tired rain-lashed shore.
For long the wilds under the northern sky
silent may have been.
Resounded only with a breath of wind.
The spear of a bear-hunter
lay on the ground by its prey.
Awaiting the arrival of a craft.
Yet no one foresaw the dawning
and thus set another day.
Hearken to the ravens' cry
across all heavens.
Behold as the gods
of our world fall.
It is time for the wheel of the sun
to break by the flow of blood.
Under such fair colours
the harbringer steps ashore.
By a sword his companions salute us,
yet of freedom they may speak.
Dressed in strangest garment
claimed kindred grasps a wooden cross.
What strength in wolves he wishes to tame.
The spear of a bear-hunter
now risen against the serpent's tongue.
Striking through the vile heart.
Yet no hero shall rise on the ruins
and our song may drift with the wind.
Hear the sorrow of the woods
across all known times.
Sacred stones are overturned
and the folk so weary.
Steel agleam defies sway
on the lap of death.
Demise in the hands of gods,
a worthy name forever spoken.
And lo! the torches lit scorching carnage,
condemning all the guiltless souls.
How dare they bereave us our gods,
now thousands fall silent at murder.
Sign of the hammer on a warrior's chest
he battles like a bear.
With strength of Ukko deep in his heart
the last man now may fall.
[AT THE RUINS]
[epilogue]
Lyrics submitted by Equilan
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