Eva's Polka
The rhythm of polka sounded from next doorThe soles of my feet were itching to goEva's mother was guarding her daughterBut Eva sure tricked her:Because we don't care about bansWhen we are dancing from one side of the room to the other
Eva was grinning widelyWhen people congratulated herEveryone's heads were wet with sweatAnd the violin was whining and wailingThis boy doesn't mind wetnessWhen we are dancing from one side of the room to the other
Eva's mother, in the chamberWas singing hymnsWhile this boy, in the neighbor's houseWas leading the old wife's daughter in a danceAnd this boy doesn't mind old wivesWhen dancing from one side of the room to the otherAnd this boy doesn't mind old wivesWhen dancing from one side of the room to the other
In the room, fun ensued the musicI got to fool around a bitWhen we went home, the old wife started bickeringAnd Eva started to cryI told Eva, what does it matterWe will dance from side to side againI told Eva, what does it matterWe will dance from side to side again
To the old wife I said, shut your mouthOr I won't guarantee your well-beingBut you will be let off in good health if you collect your bonesAnd go to your rathole to lay down and sleepThis boy doesn't mind sweet tendernessWhile he works the ladies from side to side
This I tell you: You must chew me upI'm not that easily swallowedI don't mind if you go from west to eastBut I won't give Eva upFor this boy doesn't mind modest bashfulnessWhile we dance from side to sideSalivili-hipput-tupput-täppyt-äppyt-tipputSlowly now
________________________Another translation - not mine, not literal, with rhymes:
The sound of a polka drifted from my neighbor'sAnd set my feet a-tapping oh!Ieva's mother had her eye on her daughter butIeva she managed to fool her, you know.'Cause who's going to listen to mother saying noWhen we're all busy dancing to and fro!
Ieva was smiling, the fiddle it was wailingAs people crowded round to wish her luck.Everyone was hot but it didn't seem to botherThe handsome young man, the dashing buck.'Cause who's going to mind a drop of sweatWhen he's all busy dancing to and fro!
Ieva's mother she shut herself awayIn her own quiet room to hum a hymn.Leaving our hero to have a spot of funIn a neighbor's house when the lights are dim.'Cause what does it matter what the old folks sayWhen you're all busy dancing to and fro!
When the music stopped then the real fun beganAnd that's when the laddie fooled around.When he took her home, when the dancing was overHer mother angrily waiting they found.But I said to her, Ieva, now don't you weepAnd we'll soon be dancing to and fro!
I said to her mother now stop that noiseOr I won't be responsible for what I do.If you go quietly and stay in your roomYou won't get hurt while your daughter I woo.'Cause this fine laddie is a wild sort of guyWhen he's all busy dancing to and fro!
One thing I tell you is you won't trap me,No, you won't find me an easy catch.Travel to the east and travel to the west butIeva and I are going to make a match.'Cause this fine laddie ain't the bashful sortWhen he's all busy dancing to and fro