On its release in Finland, this song entered the radio charts - a rare occurrence for traditional music. The humorous story is told in the Savo dialect of Eastern Finland.
Nuapurista kuulu se polokan tahti
jalakani pohjii kutkutti.
Ievan aiti se tyttoosa vahti
vaan kyllahan Ieva sen jutkutti,
silla ei meita silloin kiellot haittaa
kun myo tanssimme laiasta laitaan.
Salivili hipput tupput tappyt
appyt tipput hilijalleen.
Ievan suu oli vehnasella
ko immeiset onnee toevotti.
Pea oli markana jokaisella
ja viulu se vinku ja voevotti.
Ei tata poikoo markyys haittaa
sillon ko laskoo laiasta laitaan.
Salivili hipput.
Ievan aiti se kammarissa
virsia veisata huijjuutti,
kun tama poika naapurissa
amman tyttoa nuijjuutti.
Eika tata poikoo ammat haittaa
sillon ko laskoo laiasta laitaan.
Salivili.
Siella oli lystia soiton jalakeen
sain mina kerran sytkyyttee.
Kottiin ko mantii ni amma se riitelj
ja Ieva jo alako nyyhkyytteek.
Mina sanon Ievalle mitapa se haittaa
laskemma vielahi laiasta laitaa.
Salivili.
Muorille sanon jotta tukkee suusi
en ruppee sun terveyttas takkoomaa.
Terveena peaset ku korjoot luusi
ja maat siita murjuus makkoomaa.
Ei tata poikoo hellyys haittaa
ko akkoja huhkii laiasta laitaan.
Salivili.
Sen mina sanon jotta purra pittaa
ei mua niin voan nielasta.
Suat manna ite vaikka lannesta ittaan
vaan mina en luovu Ievasta,
silla ei tata poikoo kainous haittaa
sillon ko tanssii laiasta laitaan.
Salivili.
The sound of a polka drifted from my neighbor's
and set my feet a-tapping oh!
Ieva's mother had her eye on her daughter but
Ieva she managed to fool her, you know.
'Cause who's going to listen to mother saying no
when we're all busy dancing to and fro!
Ieva was smiling, the fiddle it was wailing
as people crowded round to wish her luck.
Everyone was hot but it didn't seem to bother
the handsome young man, the dashing buck.
'Cause who's going to mind a drop of sweat
when he's all busy dancing to and fro!
Ieva's mother she shut herself away
in her own quiet room to hum a hymn.
Leaving our hero to have a spot of fun
in a neighbor's house when the lights are dim.
'Cause what does it matter what the old folks say
when you're all busy dancing to and fro!
When the music stopped then the real fun began
and that's when the laddie fooled around.
When he took her home, when the dancing was over
her mother angrily waiting they found.
But I said to her, Ieva, now don't you weep
and we'll soon be dancing to and fro!
I said to her mother now stop that noise
or I won't be responsible for what I do.
If you go quietly and stay in your room
you won't get hurt while your daughter I woo.
'Cause this fine laddie is a wild sort of guy
when he's all busy dancing to and fro!
One thing I tell you is you won't trap me,
no, you won't find me an easy catch.
Travel to the east and travel to the west but
Ieva and I are going to make a match.
'Cause this fine laddie ain't the bashful sort
when he's all busy dancing to and fro.
Inkeri
