Tiskarin polkka [The Dishwasher’s Polka] by Hiski Salomaa (performed by Laulu Aika)

“Tiskarin polka,” by Hiski Salomaa describes the working conditions of a young and overworked woman and her anticipation for Thursday and her day off and the dance at the local Finn Hall.

This version is performed by Laulu Aika out of St. Paul, Minnesota. You can find more of their work here: https://www.lauluaika.com/
Ralph Tutilla, mandolin, vocals
Lotta Kiuru-Ribar, harmonica
Johanna Lorbach, vocals
Eric Platt, mandolin
Tamara Baker, triangle, tambourine
Dan Kiuru-Ribar, guitar
Jaana Tuttila, bass

On February 27, 2021, Songs of the Finnish Migration with Laulu Aika was the first event in the 2021 FinnFest music series and featured a discussion with Marcus Cederström and Tom DuBois from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, as well as a musical performance by Laulu Aika. Check out the performance with four additional songs:    • Songs of the Finnish Migration with L...  

If you're looking to sing at home with English lyrics, check out the translation of "The Dishwasher’s Polka" on pp. 176–177 in "Songs of the Finnish Migration: A Bilingual Anthology," available from University of Wisconsin Press: (https://uwpress.wisc.edu/books/5661.htm
Fancy boss ladies eating, shouting,
While I got dishes to be scrubbing and there’s plenty
“Hey, girlie, look out, coffee’s spilled out!”
They just keep me flat out running.
Milkman he brings the milk way too early and
I’d rather have some shut eye surely.
Dog needs to pee and get out quickly.
Cat needs her milk poured strictly.
In the back room I wash and scrub up,
Sweep off the floor boards and then wipe up.
Tee-lee tee-lee tee-lee tee-lee tee-tat-tee
Yes, and Thursdays we take it easy.


Sometimes the lady comes out blazing
She just lays it on—boy she is crazy!—
“Get my husband something to eat
He needs coffee now, I repeat.”
Sonny needs doughnuts for a treat and the
Baby needs diaper changed to smell sweet and
Parrot calls out “come here you darn girlie”
Doorbell rings too early.
In the back room I wash and scrub up and
Sweep off the floor boards and then wipe up
Tee-lee tee-lee tee-lee tee-lee tee-tat-tee yes, and
Thursdays we take it easy.


Then when it’s Thursday night at Finn hall
There’s a polka shaking the ceilings, floors, and walls!
Janne he plays like he’s from Austin,
Puavo plays like he’s from Boston.
Others they sashay this way and that way and
Girls want to drop their dress on the mat and
Young guys jumping ‘round the dance hall
Old folks don’t heed the call.
The band plays out hee-tu-la hee-taa-taa
pr-pr-pr-pr-pr-pr-hee-taa
Hee-lu hee-lu hee-lu hee-lu lee yes, and
Thursdays we take it easy.


Fellas they take their gals to café
For a drink after dancing the night away.
Coffee cups clinking this way, that way,
It’s like Härmä’s wedding day.
We spend the night like that a’chumming,
Then rush home a polka a’humming.
Time to change clothes for work is a’lacking,
Got to send your boyfriend packing.
In the back room I wash and scrub up and
Sweep off the floor boards and then wipe up
Tee-lee tee-lee tee-lee tee-lee tee-tat tee yes and
Thursdays we take it easy.


From "Songs of the Finnish Migration: A Bilingual Anthology," translated by Thomas A. Dubois and Marcus Cederström. Reprinted by permission of the University of Wisconsin Press. © 2020 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved.

Learn more about the project at https://folklife.wisc.edu/

Thanks to Cris Anderson from Cris Anderson Productions, Inc. and goodstory for the wonderful work. Check them out at https://www.goodstory.us/

Thanks also to Mike Rivard and Vladimir Garrido-Biagetti.