ONLINE ETYMOLOGY DICTIONARY:
rhapsody
(n.)
1540s, "epic poem," from M.Fr. rhapsodie, from L. rhapsodia, from Gk. rhapsoidia "verse composition," from rhapsodios "reciter of epic poems," from rhaptein "to stitch" (see wrap) + oide "song" (see ode). Meaning "exalted enthusiastic feeling or expression" is from 1630s. Meaning "sprightly musical composition" is first recorded 1850s.
WIKIPEDIA:
A rhapsode (Greek: ῥαψῳδός, rhapsōdos) or, in modern usage, rhapsodist, refers to a classical Greek professional performer of epic poetry in the fifth and fourth centuries BC (and perhaps earlier). Rhapsodes notably performed the epics of Homer (Iliad and Odyssey) but also the wisdom and catalogue poetry of Hesiod and the satires of Archilochus and others. Plato's dialogue Ion, in which Socrates confronts a star player rhapsode, remains our richest source of information on these artists.
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