En etsi valtaa, loistoa
En etsi valtaa, loistoa
I'm Not Looking for Power or Glory
Christmas Carol
Christmas Carol
(Finnish)
(English)
1. En etsi valtaa, loistoa,
en kaipaa kultaakaan,
ma pyydän taivaan valoa
ja rauhaa päälle maan.
Se joulu suo, mi onnen tuo
ja mielet nostaa Luojan luo.
Ei valtaa eikä kultaakaan,
vaan rauhaa päälle maan.
2. Suo mulle maja rauhaisa
ja lasten joulupuu,
Jumalan sanan valoa,
joss' sieluin kirkastuu!
Tuo kotihin, jos pieneenkin
nyt joulujuhla suloisin,
Jumalan sanan valoa
ja mieltä jaloa!
3. Luo köyhän niinkuin rikkahan
saa, joulu ihana!
Pimeytehen maailman
tuo taivaan valoa!
Sua halajan, sua odotan,
sa Herra maan ja taivahan,
nyt köyhän niinkuin rikkaan luo
suloinen joulus tuo!
1. I'm not looking for power or glory,
I don't need any gold
I ask for the light of heaven
And for peace on earth,
That Christmas brings happiness
And puts us in mind of the Creator.
Neither power nor gold,
Just peace on earth.
2. Give me a peaceful house
And children around the tree,
The light of God's word
Will brighten our souls!
Bring this home, small though it is,
The sweetest Christmas party,
The light of God's word,
And the nobility of spirit!
3. To the poor as well as the rich
Bring a wonderful Christmas!
Into the darkness of the world
Bring the light of heaven!
I long for Thee and look forward to it,
May the Lord of heaven and Earth,
To the poor as well as the rich,
Bring a sweet Christmas!
Notes
Composer: Jean Sibelius
Lyricist: Zacharias Topelius wrote the original Swedish version of this song called Giv mig ej glans.
The Finnish text 'En etsi valtaa, loistoa' is a translation of the poem in Swedish by Zacharias Topelius. Topelius and Sibelius were both Swedish-speaking Finns.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Loose translation by Lisa. Please email Lisa with any suggestions to improve the English translation.
