
audiobook
Produced by Tapio Riikonen
A vivid gathering of 19th‑century Finnish verses, this collection was crafted for temperance meetings and quiet evenings at home. The poems blend earnest religious devotion with stark calls for sobriety, echoing the moral fervor of an era where alcohol was seen as a societal scourge. Original hymns sit alongside lively translations, each line aiming to lift spirits while urging restraint.
Beyond solemn chants, the book includes playful “pillar” poems that poke fun at tavern life, from a cold bath in a pigsty to a tailor’s unexpected cure. The language swings between reverent invocations and earthy humor, offering listeners a window into the cultural pulse of the time. Whether recited aloud in a meeting or absorbed in personal reflection, the verses invite contemplation of personal strength, community, and the promise of a clearer future.
Language
fi
Duration
~1 hours (65K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2011-08-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1852–1946
A Finnish schoolteacher who also wrote and translated, he brought practical, moral, and literary themes to readers in clear, accessible language. His work is closely tied to late 19th- and early 20th-century popular reading and the temperance movement in Finland.
View all booksA Finnish writer remembered for temperance-themed verse, he is associated with work that brought poetry into public meetings and everyday reading at home. His surviving published work points to a strongly moral, civic-minded voice.
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