Porilaisten marssi (Swedish: Björneborgarnas marsch, 'March of the people from Pori') is the honorary march of the Finnish Defence Forces since 1918, composed by an unknown composer in the 18th century. The original text was written in Swedish by the Finnish national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg in his epic poem The Tales of Ensign Stål. The most commonly used Finnish translation was written by Paavo Cajander in 1889, along with Cajander's translation of The Tales of Ensign Stål. The name of the march refers to Pori Brigade.

Contents 1 Use 2 Lyrics 2.1 Lyrics in Finnish 2.2 Rough English translation 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Use

Porilaisten marssi is the honorary march of the Finnish Defence Forces and is played (only rarely sung) for the Commander-in-Chief, i.e. the President of Finland. The President has, although, the right to delegate this position to another Finnish citizen; the only time this has occurred was during the World War II, when Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim acted as Commander-in-Chief instead of then-President Risto Ryti. Thus, Ryti is the only President of Finland not to have been Commander-in-Chief at any point of his two terms (1940−1944).

Traditionally, Porilaisten marssi is played in radio or television every time a Finnish athlete wins a gold medal in Olympic games. It is also played on Christmas Eve during the Declaration of Christmas Peace ceremony, which has caused minor controversy due to the violent lyrics of the march –it is, as mentioned, Declaration of Christmas Peace, and the lyrics seem to be a bit pro-war–, even though the lyrics are not sang on the occasion.

[edit] Lyrics

[edit] Lyrics in Finnish

Translation by Paavo Cajander, 1889.

Pojat, kansan urhokkaan,

mi Puolan, Lützin, Leipzigin

ja Narvan mailla vertaan vuoti,

viel' on Suomi voimissaan,

voi vainolaisten hurmehella peittää maan.

Pois, pois rauhan toimi jää,

jo tulta kohta kalpa lyö

ja vinkuen taas lentää luoti.

Joukkoon kaikki yhtykää,

meit' entisajan sankarhenget tervehtää.

Kauniina välkkyy muisto urhojemme,

kuolossa mekin vasta kalpenemme.

Eespäin rohkeasti vaan,

ei kunniaansa myö

sun poikas milloinkaan!

Uljaana taistolippu liehu,

voitosta voittohon

sä vielä meitä viet!

Eespäin nyt kaikki, taisto alkakaa,

saa sankareita vielä nähdä Suomenmaa!

[edit] Rough English translation

Sons, of the brave nation,

who bled at the lands of

Poland, Lützen, Leipzig and Narva,

still has Finland her power,

can cover the ground with her enemies' blood.

Away, away with the acts of peace,

soon will swords strike fire,

and bullets will fly howling.

Everybody, unite!

The heroic spirits of the past salute us.

The memory of our heroes shines beautifully,

only death will make us pale, too.

Forward, bravely now,

never will give up

your sons their honour!

Flutter bravely, battle flag,

from victory to victory

you will take us again!

Forward now everybody, let the fight begin,

soon will Finland see heroes again!

[edit] See also

• "Maamme", Finnish national anthem

[edit] External links

• Recording of the song (WAV format) at the official website of the President of Finland