Ievan Polkka English Translation by Eino Kettunen Lyrics

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!