Taikatalvi (2:35)

Taikatalvi is the first song in the Nightwish’s seventh studioalbum “Imaginaerum”, and it’s written by Tuomas Holopainen. The song is a tribute to the most loved children’s book author of finland, Tove Jansson (1914-2001), and her Moomin book under the same name (English translation of the book is called Moominland Midwinter). Holopainen has said that the book Taikatalvi is one of his favourites of all time. Lyrics of the song don’t follow the story of the book, they’ve just been a source of inspiration.

Taikatalvi is one of the rare published Nightwish songs, that are sung in finnish (alongside “Erämaan viimeinen” from Dark Passion Play, “Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan” from Once, and “Lappi (Lapland)” from Angels Fall First). Marco Hietala sings the song on the album. Here you can see an accurate translation, of what Marco sings.

ENGLISH VERSION OF THE LYRICS

Magic Winter

Of my children the dearest one is this stage
Where the moonlight on its alleys advances
Bent sprig, summer in the care of
The White Ocean so wide
Which with the wings of a ghost moon
Arrives to retrieve me home

Upon the wintry earth, a moment like eternity
Which with the paws of a kitten to me creeps
Here at the tale’s roots I may live, where
A violin of vast longing
Its eternal melody paints
With its song awakens the Earth