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 wa