Comment by Richard William Ineson on November 21, 2012 at 9:10

This is for you Mike, hope it helps to clarify the mysteries of this lost art from. Has anybody got a copy of 'O Promise Me' ?

Comment by Mike Moss on November 21, 2012 at 9:32

Thank you Richard, your collection is worthy of epic song! I see that Lansing also advocates the method planting finers on the vellum -- I never managed to get any good results from that method at all. The tip about striking the first thumb note before starting to play with the finger is very interesting though, and it does avoid the thumb and finger firing away at once with a somewhat brash effect.

Anyhow, as promised, here is your epic verse in broken Old English. If there are any scholars around, please don't kill me, it's been years since I last studied this stuff.

Hwæt! Ic í híere / plunkingas prasses
þære mannmenigu micelnesse / cearcetung, cearm ond clatrung
Gemang híe, mácræftig / INESONN, mirignessmiþ
Snér snappere / glíwcræft galdorcraeftiga
þúsend wóþgiefa / sangcræft heáhsangere
Fléotig-fingerlic frmnscepeudsceppend / þæt wæs gód banjoynning!

Comment by Richard William Ineson on November 21, 2012 at 9:48

I will sort out Parke Hunter's advice on this subject, which runs to about twelve pages, when I am next in the attic.

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