Tribute to the Finnish Sauna Society

Took the ferry across the sea To see the city of Helsinki, Thought that it was wise to pay This capital a visit in the month of may

The trees, I will not hide my surprise, They were still naked as new-born mice Temperatures below one degree Truth be told, I was shocked and I wanted to flee

Tables turned, it was my destiny To be invited to the sauna society! That Mikko, the member, considered me To be worthy to see what a sauna can be!

Thus, I got to see this venerable place That seemed to me out of time and space This splendid smoky and well heated sauna! This archipelago! This flora and fauna!

This place of politeness, do you mind That I poor some löyly? Oh! That would be kind This great institution, one may speak freely, To one another or stay silently

Thereafter I knew… This I shan’t forget There remains a longing in me and I bet That if ever I lived in Helsinki There would be no place where I’d rather be…

Thanks for having me as your guest! Thanks for the fine food that gave me the rest! Thanks for the wood that made me so warm! Thanks for the sauna, now I feel reborn!

Written on the ferry back home that, luckily, has a sauna too. By Philipp Jacobi

Kirjoittaja vieraili Saunatalolla kesällä ja kokemuksesta haltioituneena puhkesi runoon.