1846 C. F. Henningsen II. viii. 204 Old man who comest from so far,—rune-singer of Karjala, thou hast pronounced rash judgment.
1972 382/1 Lönnrot himself said, ‘Because I am sure that not one of the rune-singers could surpass me in the knowledge of the runes, I used my right to put together the songs as it seemed best.’
2003 31 30/1 According to legend, the first five-string kantele was built from the jaw of a giant pike by the rune-singer Vaïnämöinin.