I started writing this song earlier this year, around May-ish. I'm finally getting around to finishing it! The vocals are only placeholders, while the instrumental is roughly 95-98% finished. The song is pretty much about how I envisioned it. <3

Midsummer Day (2024-12-08) DEMO

Translation of lyrics below.

This song is a traditional polka with lyrics by Tatu Pekkarinen (1892 - 1951, in pic) from Finland about the celebration of the Midsummer Day in Paksula first recorded in 1927 by Leo Kauppi. 
In my version I sing and play guitars and plectrum banjo. 
I produced this at my home with Band in a Box and Reaper.
Perinteinen suomalainen polkka Tatu Pekkarisen (1892 - 1951, kuvassa) sanoin ensimmäinen levytys, laulajana Leo Kauppi vuonna 1927. Laulu nousi hitiksi Halitulijallaa nimellä Hootennanny Trion levytyksenä vuonna 1965.
Versiossani laulan ja soitan kitaroita ja plectrum banjoa. Tuotin tämän kotonani Band in a Boxilla ja Reaperilla.

Midsummer Day Dance at Paksula (aka Halitulijallaa) Tatu Pekkarinen 1929

Halitulijallaa, this boy is dancing 
in a jarring polka rhythm.
On the night of the Midsummer Day,
dance was work and the spelman was sitting on a stool.

Ref: Hey, he played with his fiddle haitantaijaa,huilulluitia aijaa, aijaa.
The bow was stirring, rowing and swinging,
also the foot was stomping the beat. 

Thrilling rumble and thump of the dance
was there in the cabin of Paksula.
The cat spooked, sitting over the stove,
and marveled with it's teeth in a grin.
Ref:

Maikki and Kusti in fury
hit the floor with their boots.
Mari of the shoemaker said: ''There's a couple,
who don't have a pat on their knee.''
Ref.
In the corner the gradma peeled potatoes
and sang about the hellish trouble.
Grandpa called out and glanced the bottle 
and said he could see the heaven.
Ref.

The hullabaloo got faster and louder,
even the cat fainted above the stove.
The spelman gulped from the bottle,
and said, "Bring me a bucketful."
Ref.

Early in the morning the weather was at it's best
and the spelman was lying in the field.
He rubbed his eyes and squinted
when a big pig was lying by his side.
And the spelman complained .”Aijaijaija,
there can't be heard any haitantaijaa.,
The fun is ended and the bottle is empty
and even in the head there is the banging of the day after”.

Juhannustanssit Paksulassa aka Halitulijallaa (trad., lyrics Tatu Pekkarinen 1927)

Home recordings for the pass time of an retired old man.

My main focus is re-imagining video game music by making remixes. I will remix popular melodies, but I also try to even out the playing field by mixing themes that may not be as well-known.

I am more inclined to make remixes of music that are from the N64/PSX era or older because the audio quality difference is extremely satisfying to me!

New tracks tagged #midsummer day