Tourdion – Quand je bois du vin clairet
This song, Quand je bois du vin clairet, was one of the first medieval/renaissance songs that I ever came in contact with in my youth and I love it still. I have sung it countless of times with many different people, and it never fails to bring a smile to my lips.
The Design:
I have studied the historic parchments and notations to make suitable designs, that I then hand etch in to my antique materials. Every item in my online shop, I have designed and etched by hand, which makes them unique and one of a kind items. I wanted to create something meaningful and beautiful but I also wanted to include the mindset of sustainability in to it. Therefor the materials are old antique items redesigned for a bigger and musical purpose of connection and friendship.
The items patina therefor gives the history and culture context more veritas, and also reminds us of the people who came before us. I also arrange, record and make music videos of all my designs. In the slideshows down below, you can see some of the designs of Knifes and Spoons that I have made from Quand je bois du vin clairet. The spoon design does not originate from the original dokument and is a newly design made by me to fit the feeling and overall happy tune that it is.
The History:
Many are under the assumption that the Tourdion is one particular song, but this is not the case. The Tourdion originates from the French verb ”torde” that means ”to twist”, and it therefore a form of dance popular in the mid 15th century to the late 16th century. It started in the Burgundian court and then got very popular throughout the entire French Kingdom. It is played in triple meter (3 beats to the bar).
Here is an rough English translation of tche French lyrics and harmonies of my favorite Tourdion, Quand je bois du vin clairet:
When I drink claret wine
My friend, everything turns, turns, turns, turns…
Now, I also drink
Anjou or Arbois.
Let’s sing and drink:
Let’s declare war on that wine flask!
Let’s sing and drink
My friends; let’s drink, then!
From that fatty ham
Let’s (all) eat to forget our sorrows!
From that fatty ham
My friends, let’s eat, then!
Let’s sing and drink:
Long life to love and the bottle!
Let’s sing and drink
My friends; let’s drink, then!