- published: 15 Oct 2014
- views: 1308836
A music box or musical box is an automatic musical instrument that produces sounds by the use of a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder or disc so as to pluck the tuned teeth (or lamellae) of a steel comb. They were developed from musical snuff boxes of the 18th century and called carillons à musique. Some of the more complex boxes also have a tiny drum and/or small bells, in addition to the metal comb.
The original snuff boxes were tiny containers which could fit into a gentleman's waistcoat pocket. The music boxes could have any size from that of a hat box to a large piece of furniture, but most were tabletop specimens. They were usually powered by clockwork and originally produced by artisan watchmakers. For most of the 19th century, the bulk of music box production was concentrated in Switzerland, building upon a strong watchmaking tradition. The first music box factory was opened there in 1815 by Jérémie Recordon and Samuel Junod. There were also a few manufacturers in Bohemia and Germany. By the end of the 19th century, some of the European makers had opened factories in the United States.
This is my music box
And this is my home
Come in take a look if you like
Just you on your own
But don't make your mind up
Cos it's not done yet
Yeah this is my music box
In a state of regret
Cos you drag me down
Yeah you drag me down
But I've had a plague of late
A niggle of doubt
Yeah I've had questions of conscience
Of what this is about
Can anyone hear me these days
Have I lost my tongue
Did I lose the battle sweet stuff
Before I'd begun
Cos I am a private man
Or am I a whore
We'll settle the bill first then
Well we'll settle the score
Yeah this is my music box
My pride and my joy
Come in take a seat look around
Say hi to the boys
Yeah this is my music box
And this is my home
Yeah this is my sanctuary
Now leave me alone
Cos you drag me down
Yeah you drag me down