THE VAMPIRE PRAYER / Hurdy Gurdy

There are only two countries in the modern world where the hurdy gurdy has survived into modern times: France (where it is called "la vielle à roue") and Hungary (where it is called the "tekerolant"). The instrument also exists in parts of Rumania (next door to Hungary) where it is called the "lira" or more precisely "viella mecanica".

A neighbor of mine recently hired a highly skilled carpenter from Rumania by the name of Stefan, to do some work on his house. Stefan is from Transylvania. Since I am very interested in folk music, I asked him if he knew any Transylvanian songs or melodies, and in particular anything that might refer to the vampire myths of that region. This video is the song that Stefan gave me. It is a prayer for protection from "the unholy ones" which, judging from the description in the song, are vampires. The words suggest that sleeping children are in particular danger from these creatures, and the singer is asking God to watch over them through the night.

Since Stefan speaks only Rumanian and French, he wrote out the words in Rumanian and then gave me a rough translation into the French language. I took the French and translated it into singable English. The song has more verses to it than what I sing in this video, but I figured three minutes was probably enough.

Stefan told me he has heard the song performed to the accompaniment of a "cimpoi" which is a kind of Rumanian bagpipe but he thought the "lira" (aka hurdy gurdy) would be appropriate. The great thing about the hurdy gurdy is that it is possible to sing as you play, so you can synchronize the voice and the instrument.

The disadvantage of singing with the hurdy gurdy is that you have to sing as loud as you can all the time or you will be drowned out by the instrument. The volume of a hurdy gurdy (like the bagpipe) cannot be controlled which is why it was a popular instrument for the outdoors and large banquet halls of ancient time.

The hurdy gurdy I play in this video was made by Alden and Cali Hackmann of Olympic Musical Instruments in Indianola, Washington.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• hurdy
• gurdy
• vielle
• roue
• tekerolant
• rumania
• romania
• vampires
• transylvania
• peter
• pringle
• dracula
• shadows
• ghironda
• drehleier
• religious music
• folk music
• true blood

[birnarem]

This is not correct. In Galicia (northwest of Spain) the hurdy gurdy has survived into modern times too. The name here is "zanfona" and it plays in traditional music and modern folk groups.

Some examples. Search in youtube:

FAUSTINO SANTALICES & coplas de ciego

Anxo Pintos interpreta: lonxe da terriña.divx

BONOVO SEXTA MIX

[copperleaves]

@birnarem

According to most sources, the hurdy gurdy in Galicia and Asturias (where it is called the "zanfona") died out in the 18th century and was brought back as part of the folk revival in the early 20th century by artists like Perfecto Feijoo, Faustino Santalices and others. I love the music of Santalices! He had a wonderful voice and a unique style of playing the zanfona and singing at the same time. Something very few people do these days.

[Phoenizia007]

Thank you, great video and performance. But its not true that France and Hungary are the only countries where hurdy gurdies are played. In Germany are many musicians who are playing this instrument, and also in Denmark and Sweden you can find many hurdy gurdy players.

[copperleaves]

@Phoenizia007 This is true. The hurdy gurdy has been revived in many countries of the world where interest in it had more or less died out in the 19th century. France and Hungary, according to musicologists, are the only countries where the hurdy gurdy has historically enjoyed uninterrupted popularity as part of a living folk tradition.

[hmr28]

Any chance you'll post the lyrics you used? I have a hard time hearing your voice over the instrumental (though I love it!)

[RobroyMayo]

it exist also in NW of Italy, Occitan valleys

thank you for share this

[RpOutOfTime]

@ copperleaves

jepp, it's not really well, that our ages forgot all the beautiful instruments. All the youngsters, they simply hear the main stream from radio, but that is sh.t at most. Real good music has been made in ancient ages - but the stupids don't want to hear this. They don't listen to what this kind of music is thelling them.

[birnarem]

@copperleaves

I like "the vampire prayer", it is very very nice too.

[Tonnredein]

Awesome dude!

[snufkin789]

simply awe inspiring ... do you intend to make the song available for download on your page? i would so appreciate it. regards from germany

[arrkhal]

Simple, haunting, and powerful, without any of the pretentions that are so popular these days. Definitely real "old world" folk music at its finest, even when translated from Romanian to French to English. I can only hope that people will continue to preserve good, honest music like this.