Beauteous daughter of the Ether
Ilmatar lived alone so long
In the far outreaching spaces
Of the air above the sea

Finally, lonesome in the Ether
She flew down to greet the sea
Thereupon the rising storm-wind
Flying from the East so wild
Whipped the ocean into surges
Till the waves grew fierce with fervour

To and fro they tossed the maiden
Storm-encircled, hapless child
Teasing, swelling, roiling waves
Till at last in full conception
Union now of force and beauty
Sank the storm-winds into slumber

Long the daughter of the Ether
Braved the waves, as mother-sea
Where her head was pointed / landward
There appeared wide bays and caves
Whereupon her back she rested
There the hills and rocks she made

But the singer, Wainamoinen,
Still remained within his mother’s womb
Lingering in his tiny dungeon
Thirty years he waited there

His existence growing weary
Burst he then the outer gates
Of his dark and dismal fortress
With his strong, but untrained hand

Prising wide the long fast lock
With the toes of his left foot
With the fingers of his right hand
Finding ways through yielding darkness

On his knees he left the ocean
Quickly turned his hands about him
Stood erect to greet the sunlight
Saw in awe the silver moon

Thus our hero, Wainamoinen
Thus the wonderful enchanter
Was delivered from his mother
Ilmatar… Ilmatar… Ilmatar…