Ystäväni, tuttavani

folk song / traditional

Lyrics - Finnish

(Folk song from Finland)

1. Ystäväni, tuttavani,
rati riti ralla.
Käy nyt kanssain piirileikkiin,
rati riti ralla.

2. Sinun kanssas käsitysten,
rati riti ralla.
Sinun kanssas pyörimässä,
rati riti ralla.

3. Sinun kanssas selätysten,
rati riti ralla.
Sinun kanssas pyörimässä,
rati riti ralla.

4. Sinun kanssas vieretysten,
rati riti ralla.
Sinun kanssas pyörimässä,
rati riti ralla.

5. Hyvästi nyt sanon sulle,
rati riti ralla,
ystäväni, tuttavani,
rati riti ralla.

English Translation – My friend, acquaintance

1. My friend, acquaintance,
Rati riti ralla.
Join a circle dance with me,
Rati riti ralla.

2. We are holding hands,
Rati riti ralla.
We are dancing in a circle,
Rati riti ralla.

3. We are back-to-back,
Rati riti ralla.
We are dancing in a circle,
Rati riti ralla.

4. We are side-to-side,
Rati riti ralla.
We are dancing in a circle,
Rati riti ralla.

5. Now I’ll say goodbye,
Rati riti ralla.
My friend, acquaintance,
Rati riti ralla.

Dance

Formation: Students in groups of 2 (partners) holding hands.

Verse 1: 4 measures = Circle in one direction. Next 4 measures = Circle in the opposite direction.
Verse 2: 4 measures = Swing arms back and forth (still holding hands). Next 4 measures = Circle in one direction.
Verse 3: 4 measures = Partners stand back to back. Next 4 measures = Circle in one direction.
Verse 4: 4 measures = Partners stand side to side. Next 4 measures = Circle in one direction.
Verse 5: 4 measures = Partners shake right hands and swing hands back and forth. Next 4 measures = Partners shake left hands and swing hands back and forth.
(source)