" this is a Finnish rendition of Medieval Latin. They wrote it in a sauna, I think."

Yes, this song is from the book Piae Cantiones, which appeared in 1582 but which contained songs from earlier times. Was it actually published in Finland or did the publisher merely find the tunes in Finland?

I believe that the tune we use for 'Good King Wenceslas' came from the same book.

Once I was reading a book about manuscripts from the British Isles, and it was remarked that many fine Irish and English MS's are in Scandinavian museums. You know why? Vikings. They stole them.

I picture Hagar the Horrible returning home with a beautifully illuminated MS in his loot. He rips off the golden cover and gloats over the red and blue glass 'jewels.' He is about to toss the rest in the midden when his wife says, "Gimme that!"

The rest is not history, but it's how the MS wound up in Finland.

Ive sung 'Gaudete' in choir. It's a good, lively, song.