Songbook of Anna de Cologne

he song book of Anna of Cologne (ca. 1500) The Liederbuch (song book) of Anna of Cologne represents an impressive testimonial to the spiritual and cultural life in the Rhine-Meuse region during the Late Middle Ages. Over eighty Latin and vernacular songs – some with melodies – are preserved in it: from translations of Latin hymns to sacred contrafacta of carnival songs. Informed by the spirit of the “new devoutness,” the songs express religious devotion to God and veneration of the Mother of God. One is admonished to bear in mind the Grim Reaper, and not to strive for prestige and success in the world, where Fortune’s wheel makes enduring happiness impossible. The joys of the Kingdom of Heaven, on the other hand, are longingly extolled in song…