The Kalevala · Chapter
Rune XLIV: Birth of the Second Harp explained
Wainamoinen, having lost his original harp of fish-bone to the depths of the sea, laments the loss of joy and music.
What happens
Wainamoinen, having lost his original harp of fish-bone to the depths of the sea, laments the loss of joy and music. He commissions Ilmarinen to forge a rake to search the waters, but the harp is not recovered. Wandering through the forest, Wainamoinen hears a birch tree weeping over its mistreatment and promises to turn its grief to joy. He fashions a new harp from the sacred birch, using the golden ringlets of a forest maiden for strings. When he plays, the music is so enchanting that all of nature—mountains, beasts, birds, fish, and people—stop in wonder and delight, and the entire land of Kalevala rejoices.
Themes in this chapter
Power of Song and Magic
Wainamoinen's harp-playing has miraculous effects, causing mountains to dance, stones to move, and all creatures to listen in wonder, demonstrating the transformative power of music and magic.
Craftsmanship and Creation
The chapter details the careful construction of the harp from birch wood, aspen, and maiden's hair, highlighting the skill and artistry of the maker.
Nature and the Landscape
The birch tree's lament and the response of the natural world to Wainamoinen's music emphasize the intimate relationship between the heroes and the Finnish landscape.
Characters to notice
- Wainamoinen
The ancient minstrel and magician who, after losing his first harp, creates a second harp from a sacred birch tree and enchants all of nature with his playing.
- Ilmarinen
The eternal metal-worker who forges a rake of iron with copper teeth at Wainamoinen's request to search the sea for the lost harp.
- Aino
Referenced indirectly as the 'forest-maiden' who gives her golden ringlets to Wainamoinen for the harp strings, though the maiden is not explicitly named Aino in the text.
- Ahti
Mentioned as the ruler of the waters (Wellamo) who will not return the lost harp from the deep-sea bottom.
Key passages
“Weep no longer, sacred birch-tree, Mourn no more, my friend and brother, Thou shalt have a better fortune; I will turn thy grief to joyance, Make thee laugh and sing with gladness.”
Wainamoinen comforts the weeping birch tree, promising to transform its sorrow into happiness by using its wood to create a magical harp.
This moment of empathy and creation underscores the theme of turning suffering into art.
“Far away is heard the music, Wide the harp of joy re-echoes; Mountains dance and valleys listen, Flinty rocks are torn asunder, Stones are hurled upon the waters, Pebbles swim upon the Big-Sea, Pines and lindens laugh with pleasure, Alders skip about the heather, And the aspen sways in concord.”
The music of Wainamoinen's harp is so powerful that it causes the entire landscape to move and rejoice, with mountains dancing, rocks breaking, and trees laughing.
This vivid description illustrates the supernatural effect of the harp's music on the natural world.
“Never have we heard such playing, Never heard such strains of music, Never since the earth was fashioned, As the songs of this magician, This sweet singer, Wainamoinen!”
The people of Northland declare that they have never experienced such beautiful music since the creation of the world, attributing it to Wainamoinen's magical skill.
This collective reaction emphasizes the unparalleled quality of Wainamoinen's art.