Tagelied
Encyclopedia
The Tagelied is a particular form of mediaeval German language
lyric
, taken and adapted from the Provençal
troubadour
tradition (in which it was known as the alba
) by the German
Minnesinger. Often in three verses, it depicts the separation of two lovers at the break of day.
An especially popular version of the Tagelied was the Wächterlied, or watchman's song, in which a trusted watchman warns the knight
to depart. This form was introduced into German use by Wolfram von Eschenbach
. The form was popular in German-speaking regions from the 13th to the 16th centuries.
The form of the Wechsel (alternating verses by the knight and the lady, but not addressed directly to each other, so not quite a dialogue as now understood) was introduced by Dietmar von Aist
and Heinrich von Morungen
. The tagelied's form and prosody varies over time and with individual poet. The tagelied does not even consistently use refrain
s. However, the subject matter of the song made it a very popular one, and the form's conventions showed up in other lyric poetry
and dramatic poetry.
Important motifs of the Tagelied are the depiction of daybreak, the warning to depart, the lament at parting and the lady's final permission to the knight to go (the urloup). Shakespeare's
Romeo and Juliet
, V iii, shows the influence of the dawn song as well, as the two lovers argue over the dawn and the need for departure.
Particular exponents of the genre were among others Heinrich von Morungen
, Wolfram von Eschenbach
, Walther von der Vogelweide
and later Oswald von Wolkenstein
. Modern poets who have drawn on the tradition of the Tagelied include Rainer Maria Rilke
, Ezra Pound
and Peter Rühmkorf
.
Most of this article is based on that in the German Wikipedia
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
lyric
Lyric poetry
Lyric poetry is a genre of poetry that expresses personal and emotional feelings. In the ancient world, lyric poems were those which were sung to the lyre. Lyric poems do not have to rhyme, and today do not need to be set to music or a beat...
, taken and adapted from the Provençal
Provence
Provence ; Provençal: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm) is a region of south eastern France on the Mediterranean adjacent to Italy. It is part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur...
troubadour
Troubadour
A troubadour was a composer and performer of Old Occitan lyric poetry during the High Middle Ages . Since the word "troubadour" is etymologically masculine, a female troubadour is usually called a trobairitz....
tradition (in which it was known as the alba
Alba (poetry)
The alba is a subgenre of Occitan lyric poetry. It describes the longing of lovers who, having passed a night together, must separate for fear of being discovered by their respective spouses....
) by the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Minnesinger. Often in three verses, it depicts the separation of two lovers at the break of day.
An especially popular version of the Tagelied was the Wächterlied, or watchman's song, in which a trusted watchman warns the knight
Knight
A knight was a member of a class of lower nobility in the High Middle Ages.By the Late Middle Ages, the rank had become associated with the ideals of chivalry, a code of conduct for the perfect courtly Christian warrior....
to depart. This form was introduced into German use by Wolfram von Eschenbach
Wolfram von Eschenbach
Wolfram von Eschenbach was a German knight and poet, regarded as one of the greatest epic poets of his time. As a Minnesinger, he also wrote lyric poetry.-Life:...
. The form was popular in German-speaking regions from the 13th to the 16th centuries.
The form of the Wechsel (alternating verses by the knight and the lady, but not addressed directly to each other, so not quite a dialogue as now understood) was introduced by Dietmar von Aist
Dietmar von Aist
Dietmar von Aist was a Minnesinger from a baronial family of Upper Austria, documented between 1140 and 1171,whose work is representative of the lyric poetry of the Danube region.-Life:...
and Heinrich von Morungen
Heinrich von Morungen
Heinrich von Morungen or Henry of Morungen was a German Minnesinger.-Life:Almost nothing about his life can be deduced from Heinrich's songs. Possibly he is identical with the Hendricus de Morungen who is documented in Thuringia...
. The tagelied's form and prosody varies over time and with individual poet. The tagelied does not even consistently use refrain
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
s. However, the subject matter of the song made it a very popular one, and the form's conventions showed up in other lyric poetry
Lyric poetry
Lyric poetry is a genre of poetry that expresses personal and emotional feelings. In the ancient world, lyric poems were those which were sung to the lyre. Lyric poems do not have to rhyme, and today do not need to be set to music or a beat...
and dramatic poetry.
Important motifs of the Tagelied are the depiction of daybreak, the warning to depart, the lament at parting and the lady's final permission to the knight to go (the urloup). Shakespeare's
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
, V iii, shows the influence of the dawn song as well, as the two lovers argue over the dawn and the need for departure.
Particular exponents of the genre were among others Heinrich von Morungen
Heinrich von Morungen
Heinrich von Morungen or Henry of Morungen was a German Minnesinger.-Life:Almost nothing about his life can be deduced from Heinrich's songs. Possibly he is identical with the Hendricus de Morungen who is documented in Thuringia...
, Wolfram von Eschenbach
Wolfram von Eschenbach
Wolfram von Eschenbach was a German knight and poet, regarded as one of the greatest epic poets of his time. As a Minnesinger, he also wrote lyric poetry.-Life:...
, Walther von der Vogelweide
Walther von der Vogelweide
Walther von der Vogelweide is the most celebrated of the Middle High German lyric poets.-Life history:For all his fame, Walther's name is not found in contemporary records, with the exception of a solitary mention in the travelling accounts of Bishop Wolfger of Erla of the Passau diocese:...
and later Oswald von Wolkenstein
Oswald von Wolkenstein
Oswald von Wolkenstein was a poet, composer and diplomat. In the latter capacity, he traveled through much of Europe, even as far as Georgia , and was inducted into the Order of the Dragon...
. Modern poets who have drawn on the tradition of the Tagelied include Rainer Maria Rilke
Rainer Maria Rilke
René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke , better known as Rainer Maria Rilke, was a Bohemian–Austrian poet. He is considered one of the most significant poets in the German language...
, Ezra Pound
Ezra Pound
Ezra Weston Loomis Pound was an American expatriate poet and critic and a major figure in the early modernist movement in poetry...
and Peter Rühmkorf
Peter Rühmkorf
Peter Rühmkorf was a German writer who significantly influenced German post-war literature....
.
See also
- AubadeAubadeAn aubade is a morning love song , or a song or poem about lovers separating at dawn. It has also been defined as "a song or instrumental composition concerning, accompanying, or evoking daybreak"....
- Medieval German literatureMedieval German literatureMedieval German literature refers to literature written in Germany, stretching from the Carolingian dynasty; various dates have been given for the end of the German literary Middle Ages, the Reformation being the last possible cut-off point....
Most of this article is based on that in the German Wikipedia