Tumman virran taa
Ensiferum Lyrics
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Hurme tämän kansan roudan sulattaa
Katso kuinka hohkaa kansi taivaan
Kutsuu se meitä tumman virran taa
Heikot vaipuu kuohuun sysimustaan
Sankarit kun astuu joen rantaan
Halki iäisyyden laulu raikaa
Kutsuu se veljiä tumman virran taa
The lyrics to Ensiferum's "Tumman virran taa" speak of a group of people being called to cross a dark river. The song describes a bleak landscape, with grey forests and ravens singing overhead. However, even as the world seems to be frozen and lifeless, there is crimson blood that manages to flow through the land, symbolized by the word "hurme." The blood melts the frost and allows the people to move forward.
As the people are beckoned to cross the dark river, the lyrics suggest that weaker individuals may be overtaken by the treacherous currents. However, those who are brave and strong will make it to the other side. The song speaks of these heroes singing a song that echoes through eternity. The song ends with the same lines that began it, emphasizing the notion of the cyclical nature of existence.
The song's lyrics appear to be inspired by the mythology and folklore of Finland. The concept of a dark river that separates the living from the dead is a common one in Finnish mythology. Unsurprisingly, the band Ensiferum has roots in Finland, and the lyrics appear to draw on the band members' cultural heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
Yllä harmaan korven korpit laulaa
Above the gray forest, the ravens sing
Hurme tämän kansan roudan sulattaa
Blood melts the frost of this people
Katso kuinka hohkaa kansi taivaan
See how the cover of the sky gleams
Kutsuu se meitä tumman virran taa
It calls us to the other side of the dark river
Heikot vaipuu kuohuun sysimustaan
The weak sink into the pitch-black swirl
Sankarit kun astuu joen rantaan
When heroes step onto the riverbank
Halki iäisyyden laulu raikaa
Throughout eternity, the song resounds
Kutsuu se veljiä tumman virran taa
It calls brothers to the other side of the dark river
Contributed by Christian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DraccoKnightblade
The Initial chant translated to English.
English translation: (translated by "Varjaagi"):
Above the grey wilderness the ravens sing
The blood of this people melts the frost
Behold the glow of the vault of heavens
It calls us beyond the dark stream
Weaklings fall into the froth of the stream
as heroes land on the shores of the river
across eternity the song can be heard
it calls for brothers beyond the dark stream
@puolukkahillo1637
@Hoonamir This is a rather quick literal translation so you can get the gist of it
Ravens sing above the grey desolate woods
Blood melts the frost of our people
Lo how the heavens blaze
Beyond the dark stream it calls us
The weak fall to blackest of surges
When heroes step on the bank of the stream
A song pierces through eternity
It calls brethren beyond the dark stream
@cristhianmedina353
Traducción al español
Por encima del oído gris, los cuervos cantan
El encanto de la escarcha de este pueblo se derretirá
mira cómo los panqueques cubren el cielo
nos llama detrás de una corriente oscura
Débil cae en una burbuja de otoño negro
héroes al pisar la orilla del río
romper la canción de la eternidad fresca
nos llama a los hermanos detrás de una corriente oscura
@vatupatu7360
And rest of the lyrics is here:
Could my ruin have come,
My day of trouble have arrived,
In these Tuonela cabins
These abodes of the dead land?
[Kalevala]
Far beyond the dark stream pagan souls will
Roam those cold lands wild and free.
Wait for the sign; a blood red sky.
Then beyond the dark stream we will ride.
The path of mortals,
So narrow and brutal.
Only bravest of them all
Will find true valours
Decaying souls of men,
Who trust in false omens,
Will drown in the stream
With their untrue beliefs.
He's been drifting
For so long,
Searching for the land.
Where heroes roam.
In the horizon,
The last ray of light,
A breeze from the other side,
Before he dies.
Dividing walls of stone,
Eternal heathen Throne,
Beneath the cold starlight.
Revealed for the purest sight.
Through constant affliction
Towards alleviations,
When a searing star is near.
Carry on, you're almost here
Far beyond the dark stream we'll meet again.
Across the wilderness and we will be home.
Gather your strength, don't be afraid.
Far beyond the dark stream, we'll meet again.
The longest journey of them all,
Has to be made all alone
A flame in the skyline reaching the stars
Guiding the seeker through the night!
@don44r86
This song started to play randomly in my playlist, now i belong to this place forever
@diogenesborealis7852
To my father (died too young) and grandfather. The longest journey of them all has to be made all alone.
@pablohauser2506
Your clan Is with you brother even if you can't see them or feel them. They're always there.
@NYR2K8
When Ensiferum screams at me not to be afraid... my fears just melt away.
@matheuscruz8574
Fucking goosebumps.
@Rottenberg666
Gather your strength, don't be afraid
Far beyond the dark stream, we'll meet again!
Yeah them lyrics are pretty powerful.
@benjaminpilgrim1330
This comment is gold, I agree with you every time I read it.
@Lucrezia96ful
When I am listening to this masterpiece I imagine to wander all alone in the frozen lands, far away from society and people, only my spear (or sword) and me following my destiny
@DraccoKnightblade
The Initial chant translated to English.
English translation: (translated by "Varjaagi"):
Above the grey wilderness the ravens sing
The blood of this people melts the frost
Behold the glow of the vault of heavens
It calls us beyond the dark stream
Weaklings fall into the froth of the stream
as heroes land on the shores of the river
across eternity the song can be heard
it calls for brothers beyond the dark stream
@vitocavaliere771
Thanks for the translation