Ir sult sprechen willekomen

Ir sult sprechen willekomen is a poem by Walther von der Vogelweide from they year 1203.

In the 19th century, the poem was rediscovered by German nationalists and even served as an inspiration for Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben and his "Deutschlandlied".

Since 1973, Alois Kircher's theory that Walther in this poem was repudiating an attack by Peire Vidal, who had denigrated the Germans in his 37th Chanson[2] and had praised Provence as the land "from the Rhône to Vence, and from the sea up to the Durance," has gained general acceptance.

Ir sult sprechen willekomen: der iu mære bringet, daz bin ich.

Ich wil tiuschen frouwen sagen solhiu mære, daz si deste baz al der werlte suln behagen: âne grôze miete tuon ich daz.

Ich hân lande vil gesehen unde nam der besten gerne war: übel müeze mir geschehen, kunde ich ie mîn herze bringen dar, daz im wol gevallen wolde fremeder site.

kan ich rehte schouwen guot gelâz unt lîp, sem mir got, sô swüere ich wol, daz hie diu wîp bezzer sint danne ander frouwen.

swer si schildet, derst betrogen: ich enkan sîn anders niht verstân.

tugent und reine minne, swer die suochen wil, der sol komen in unser lant: da ist wünne vil: lange müeze ich leben dar inne!