ipod 5th generation . factory restore and reset. an activation issue

Forgotten original activation code for my ipod 5th gen

my ipod 5th generation would not open . it was stuck on apple logo. after following the usual various initial steps for it not working, by pressing variuos buttons on ipod. when this did not sovle the problem , i firstly performed a restore via itunes. After 2 attempts at a restore via update option (without losing data) did not work , speicifically the software update did not work ( error code 27 ) . i then chose the option to do a complete factory reset . this worked and i could open the ipod. Subsequently i had to set up ipod as new, i reached point where i had to input my apple email and the password i used originally to activate the ipod because of the activation lock.

i have my original icloud email and i thought i had the original password . however it i am told the email and / or password is incorrect.

i know that the email account address is correct so is there any way i can get my original password.

thanks for help