Women’s Secular Songs

Summary

I. Selection from the Ambraser Liederbuch, 1582

The Ambraser Liederbuch was copied by an anonymous scribe or scribes for Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol (1529–95) and contains 262 popular songs of erotic and religious content. Ferdinand placed this book in his personal library, clearly expressing his interest in these kinds of texts. The Ambraser Liederbuch was based on the Frankfurter Liederbuch, first printed in 1578, and reprinted in 1584 and 1599.

No. 1 (Ambras No. XXXVI): HErtz einiges lieb, dich nicht betrüb

1. Heart, my only love, do not be sad,

Although the time right now combats us

You will easily see that every person here on earth,

However happy she ever might live, how elevated she might be,

Will, from time to time, experience some misfortune.

2. Live just like me, this I ask of you,

Just as hope can never fail us,

We will always err, realize this.

What infidelity can do, consider this, With all my heart I hope you will experience some good.

3. After such sorrow, seek my loyalty,

Which will always be there for you,

And I will always be obliged to you, this is true,

I will never leave you, not even an inch away.

4. With joy all your sorrow will be compensated.

This song appealed to the wise people.

It was composed by a beautiful virgin.

No. 2 (Ambras No. LII): MEin alter man, der nimpt sich an

1. My old husband has determined

To steal my joy and happiness.

With grumpiness and bickering he causes me pain,

I wish he would give it up.

He bickers with me and mumbles under his breath, checks the entire house;

When he sees that I am joking happily

With a [male] guest, he is deeply troubled

As he experiences great pain [jealousy].

2. He wants me, it often happens,

Never to laugh.

Through his manners he transforms me into an old person,

Since I must shun all joys.

This causes me pain, as I am not used to it,

But I am learning it from him.

He makes me decide to ignore it,

I will simply disregard [his command].