The Importance Of Song To Estonians

as told to me by Television

Eesti sing so much that when the Soviets
jumped out of their little truck
singing and dancing, the Eesti tried to join in
when the OGPU said yes
the night was filled with the sounds
of torture and death beneath
men were shipped off to the Estonian Rifle Corps

When the Germans returned
the Eesti were so happy they could sing
Ma isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm
that they smiled and danced
soon men and children were shipped off
to sing "über Alles" for Greater Germany
did Eesti SS sing as chimneys spat die Juden?

When the Soviets returned
Eesti became as quiet as the forest
the Brothers knew that singing
starts after three days of torture
the whistling birds never came
madness came to those who waited
a choral silence settled on this East Land

when the Eesti remembered how to sing
it appeared that the Russians forgot
they screamed and screamed
and their ears hurt so much
they left the Eesti
to their voyage to the end of the world