Professor Philip Wolfrum, music director and choir master at Heidelberg University commissioned the work, to be premiered in the new Town Hall in Heidelberg, coinciding with the award of an honorary doctorate for Strauss and with the centenary of the reestablishment of the university as a state-owned institution.

The honorary doctorate was confirmed in June 1903 (while Strauss was again visiting London),[8] and the award and premiere arranged for 26 October 1903.

Wer singet vom Morgen bis in die späte Nacht, So lieblich, daß mir das Herz im Leibe lacht?

Des Herzogs Schwester schaute vom Turm ins Feld, Sie sprach: »Dort reitet, bei Gott!

Der Taillefer ritt vor allem Normannenheer, Auf einem hohen Pferde, mit Schwert und mit Speer, Er sang so herrlich, das klang über Hastingsfeld, Vom Roland sang er und manchem frommen Held.

Dann sprengt' er hinein und führte den ersten Stoß, Davon ein englischer Ritter zur Erde schoß, Dann schwang er das Schwert und führte den ersten Schlag, Davon ein englischer Ritter am Boden lag.

Herr Wilhelm steckte sein Banner aufs blutige Feld, Inmitten der Toten spannt' er sein Gezelt, Da saß er am Mahle, den goldnen Pokal in der Hand, Auf dem Haupte die Königskrone von Engelland.

"It's Taillefer," they answered him, "who so joyously sings Within the courtyard, as the wheel above the well he swings, And when inside he stirs the fire to burn more bright, And when he lays down at night or awakes in the morning."

Then the Duke said, "I have a good servant – This Taillefer that serves me, so loyal and so brave; He turns the wheel and stirs the fire well, And sings so brightly I can hear his courage."

Not long after and Taillefer rode out a knight Upon a tall horse, with sword and shield; The Dukes sister looked down from the tower onto the field, saying "My God, there rides a handsome hero!"

"If I have sung and served thee well, First as a lowly knave and then as a bold knight, Today I will reward you well, Riding first into the field, to strike the first blow against the foe!"

So Taillefer rode on before the Norman line Upon his stately steed, with sword and speer; Above the embattled Hastings plain his noble song sounded – Of Roland's deeds and many a devout hero.

The Duke his banner planted high upon the bloody plain, And pitched his tent amid the heaps of slain; Sitting at the feast, the golden cup in his hand, On his head the Crown of England.

You have sung to me of love and sorrow; But for the rest of my life I still shall hear in my ears The sound of your song today on Hastings field".