Elämää ja erotiikkaa [English translation]

My father built his career as a small town shop keeper

He knew the subconscious mind of man.

When spreading my wings as a graduate,

Father gave his advice, one and only.

He said: "Life and erotica

One should never forget

For everything else is just methodology"

But I thought, you just keep on talking.

I came to Helsinki and started studying

Never had time for night life

Throughout the nights I kept cramming my books

As a neighbor next door I got a polytechnician through and through

He sang: "Life and erotica

I would never forget."

But I kept my focus on botanics,

and thought everything has its time and place.

Only once father visited me in Helsinki

as I got my master's in forestry.

I didn't fathom why he with tears in his eyes,

with strong hands grabbed my shoulders.

And he said: "Life and erotica

You nevertheless should not forget

This is the truth and it is so for everyone

If only I could make you learn that."

I'm soon an academic old and weak,

and I'm starting to see what I missed.

When the polytechnician through and through, that Oiva Pikkarainen

seems to be getting younger by the day.

He sings: "Life and erotica

We were created to study.

Life and erotica

one should here never forget."

Life and erotica,

we were created to study.

Life and erotica,

Here one should never forget

[ one should not forget ]

ever.

• Artist:Juha Vainio
• Album:Elämää ja erotiikkaa (1985)