Sarah and I went to a cool dinner party last Saturday. Among the interesting conversations, the words “hurdy gurdy” came up.
My only knowledge of the phrase was tha creepy old 1960’s Donovan song.
As it turns out, a hurdy gurdy is an 18th century string instrument, sort of an odd cross between an organ grinder and a violin.
Resource:
http://www.yale.edu/musicalinstruments/hurdy-gurdy.html
Histories of ages past
Unenlightened shadows cast
Down through all eternity
The crying of humanity.
‘Tis then when the Hurdy Gurdy Man
Comes singing songs of love
7 Comments
I find it fascinating that the crank operates the round, circular bow, which produces noise against the strings. An ingenious contraption- so how do I get one? Do you think that people get rid of their old hurdy gurdies on eBay?
Cool dinner parties, eh? Enjoy it guys! *sigh*
Thanks Rob, for the history lesson.
If that don’t look like a piece of science fiction I don’t know what does!
I’ve never seen anything like it. It is strange looking.
the only way i’d get to attend a dinner party is if i hosted it.
Sounds like a plan Angela, are the invitations in the mail?
if you guys would actually come, i sure would. lol