The most “Latvian” songs in all recorded history are sung around bonfires on the nights of JÄņi and LÄ«go during the Midsummer Solstice. They cannot be translated, for as the poet Imants Ziedonis has theorized, its often the sounds of the words and the vibrations they release in your body as you sing them, that produce the magic effects that have captivated generations. This was just an experiment to see if something of the sense of this celestial turning point in time could be captured in the Anglo-Saxon tongue.
turn again
turn again
turn it round and round the bonfire, turning
spring is gone and summer’s coming
turning
rain is pouring, thunder’s rumbling
turning
turn again
turn again
turn it round and round the bonfire, turning
lads are running after lassies
turning
rolling in the velvet grasses
turning
turn again
turn again
turn it round and round the bonfire, turning
sing a song and then another
turning
sing it with your sister’s brother
turning
pour the beer and make it lather
turning
raise a toast to all who gather
turning
turn again
turn again
turn it round and round the bonfire, turning
break your bread with every neighbor
turning
celebrate your earthly labours
turning
find the fern and kiss the flower
turning
feel the minutes flow like hours
turning
turn again
turn again
turn it round and round the bonfire, turning
thank your father and your mother
turning
throw a kiss to all the others
turning
sing and dance away the sorrow
turning
love today to see tomorrow
turning