Palästinalied — Medieval Crusade Song with New Arrangement

Das Palästinalied, or the “Palestine Song“, is a thirteenth-century crusade song written by the famous Minnesänger or German lyric poet named Walther von der Vogelweide. In this rendition, both the original melodic structure and the Middle High German text have been preserved, though there are an additional ten stanzas which have been omitted since they are usually not all sung. The instrumental arrangement, however, is new and not strictly historical. The text speaks from the perspective of a pilgrim who has set foot upon the Holy Land for the first time, with all of the profound significance this would have had for one living in the golden age of Christendom. For the chivalric elite, Jerusalem appeared twofold as an earthly goal of conquest and as the heavenly city, or the abode of the immortal heroes who were driven by a transcendent and supra-human purpose and who fought for absolute glory. The illuminated manuscript shown in the video depicts a knight of the Teutonic Order, kneeling before “the sacred land with meadows greening“. Instrumental arrangement and performance by Logan Norman Illuminated manuscript by Sharon Norman ~ Middle High German text: Nû alrêst lebe ich mir werde, sît mîn sündic ouge siht daz here lant und ouch die erde, der man sô vil êren giht. Ez ist geschehen, des ich ie bat, ich bin komen an die stat, dâ got menischlîchen trat. Schoeniu lant, rîch unde hêre, swaz ich der noch hân gesehen, sô bist dûz ir aller êre. Waz ist wunders hie geschehen! Daz ein magt ein kint gebar, hêre über aller engel schar, was daz niht ein wunder gar? Hie liez er sich reine toufen, daz der mensche reine sî. Dô liez er sich hie verkoufen, daz wir eigen wurden frî. Anders waeren wir verlorn. Wol dir, sper, kriuz unde dorn! Wê dir, heiden! daz ist dir zorn. ~ English translation (with slight modifications) from J.W. Thomas, Medieval German Lyric Verse in English Translation, University of North Carolina Press (1968): Now my life has gained its meaning, Since these sinful eyes behold The sacred land with meadows greening, Whose renown was often told. This was granted me from God: To see the land, the holy sod, Which in human form He trod. Splendid lands of wealth and power, I’ve seen many, far and near; Yet of all are you the flower. What a wonder happened here! That a maid a Child should bear, Lord of all the angels fair; Was this not a wonder rare? Here was He baptized, the Holy, That all people might be pure. Here He died, betrayed and lowly, That our bonds should not endure. Else our fate had been severe; Hail, O Cross, O Thorns and Spear! Heathen, woe! Your rage is clear.