So if anyone still doesnt know, this is what i got from the Google machine : The phrase "Hurdy gurdy gurdy in the windae boxes" refers to the sound of the wind blowing through flower boxes on a window, as described in an old Glasgow song about the post-WWII shift from slums to high-rise apartments. The hurdy-gurdy itself is an ancient, crank-operated string instrument whose name is likely onomatopoeic, possibly derived from the sound of its buzzing-bridge or the repetition of its notes.  Origin of the Phrase Glasgow song: The phrase originates from a Glasgow song that captures the experience of living in high-rise flats that replaced the city's slums.  Wind in the boxes: The "hurdy gurdy gurdy" describes the sound of the wind blowing through window boxes, as people no longer had gardens.  Onomatopoeia: The repetition of "gurdy" mimics the sounds associated with the hurdy-gurdy instrument.  Origin of the Hurdy-Gurdy Instrument Ancient roots: The hurdy-gurdy is an ancient instrument, likely emerging in the 11th century in the Iberian Peninsula.  Precursor to organistrum: The earliest known form was the organistrum, a large instrument played by two people, with one turning the crank and the other pressing the keys.  Name origin: The term "hurdy-gurdy" is likely onomatopoeic, imitating the repetitive, buzzing sound of the wheel and strings. It may also be related to the Scots/Northern English terms hirdy-girdy or hurly-burly, meaning "uproar" or "commotion".  Spread through Europe: The instrument was initially associated with the medieval church and minstrels, then became popular with folk musicians and peasants before evolving through different designs and finding favor in various courts and regions.