Donovan - Hurdy Gurdy Man [REACTION]

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[@lizklosowski6487]

I've enjoyed every song by Donovan for decades, and just found out that a Hurdy Gurdy is a medieval wheel-string instrument! Donovan is such an underrated talent.

[@davidfisher8821]

This song was used to great effect in the film Zodiac….you’ll never hear it the same way again!

[@violeteyes5255]

Donovan on Acoustic Guitar, Tambura and vocals

[@patrickquinlan67]

I imagine it sounds amazing on acid. There was a lot of it about in those days. I liked your reaction. This was a favourite of mine in my early teens.

[@jlb6]

Donovan was huge in the sixties. The session records are sketchy but the back up bands was early session for pro type led zeppelin

[@mustangmikep51]

The Hurdy Gurdy Man refers to the Maharishi Mahesh yogi who was the Beatles Guru when they visited his ashram in Rishikesh India in 67-68,,,Christ, the Buddah, or any spiritually evolved being could be said to be a Hurdy Gurdy Man..roly boly was reference the the Maharishi's little plump pear-shaped body....Donovan was in deep meditation doing TM (Transcendental Meditation) when he says he was gazing with tranquility in the opening lines when he took a peep, and opened his eyes..This is a very spiritual song about enlightenment and how humanity is clueless as to why they came here on Earth in the 1st place, and what the point of it all is(to achieve enlightenment) George Harrison added the last verse to Donovan's song ,but it was never included in the final cut...If your a "seeker"...this song makes perfect sense and is quite profound Namaste.

[@Kae6502]

I was 9 years old when this song came out. It was on the radio all the time! It brings back SO many memories. The House we lived in, and for some reason, the layout of our living room. My Mom and Dad and my siblings. Very nostalgic for me. Loved the way you were getting into it.Thanks for this little time trip.:)

[@GrandmaZeppelin]

That’s Jimmy Page on lead guitar☮💜

[@bryanforis1839]

Great songs and great music

[@mikekretmar4923]

Song is called mask of the slave,make sure it's live the one with the outside concert

[@frankbarnwell____]

Hear the John Bonham!

[@douglasennis7291]

Was about Maharishi Yogi with the Beatles and various others

[@RossoRosa62]

That last verse was written by George Harrison but not used in the final recording

[@lynnieiapichino1121]

☮️💙💙💙🔥🔥😎

[@lynnejamieson2063]

There was another verse written by George Harrison that Donovan decided not to record, though he has on occasion performed it during concerts. It goes

[@johnbranham9941]

Liked your review, took your time with it.

[@Kairon111161]

You got it -- the Messiah -- but not so much as Jesus -- rather Orpheus -- that part you called "dark" -- the cries of desperation of Humanity -- Tis THEN that the Hurdy-Gurdy Man comes singing songs of LOVE -- it is at the darkest moment, that from the Poets, Sages and Seers comes the saving Grace and Light. It is basically a realization, in India, surrounded by The Beatles at the Sangha of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi -- certainly fueled by very powerful psychotropics, that the idea must have occurred to Donovan that he and the Beatles and others like them were a kind of saving group of Sages, Seers, Sirens, calling the youth to a better way of Life and Truth. Lots of us actually believed stuff like that in 1968.

[@lindacoy7165]

Donovan was before my time. I remember my dad listening to his stuff in the car. Please add “Piñata” by CheVelle to your request list. Thanks!

[@viceroyzh]

Maybe some challenging ones:

[@timbriere2325]

Written after visiting India with the Beatles.