WORLD SOUNDSCAPE PROJECT
SOUND REFERENCES IN LITERATURE


 


640.

Lord Siegmund clasped the noble prince to him and the laments of his friends mounted to such a pitch that the palace and the hall and indeed the whole city of Worms echoed mightily with their weeping.

..None could tell in full the extraordinary lamentation of those knights and ladies whose wailing was heard in the town, with the result that the worthy burgesses came hurrying along and added their laments to the guests', so distressed were they. Nobody had told them any reason why Siegfried had to die. Thus the wives of the good citizens were weeping there with the ladies.

The Nibelungenlied, trans. by A.T. Hatto, Penguin Classics, Great Britain, 1965, p. 135-136.

PLACE: Worms, Burgundy.

TIME: Middle Ages, (11th Century?)

CIRCUMSTANCE: Siegfried's death.

 

641.

And before Siegfried was interred more than a hundred masses were sung there that day. There was a great press of his friends; but when the chanting was over, the people went away.

...The Nibelungs subjected themselves to great hardship. During those three days, so we are told, those who were skilled at singing mass had to exert themselves greatly: ...

On the third morning, at the hour of mass, the broad churchyard beside the minster was filled with the wailing of the Burgundians who were honouring him in death as a dear friend deserves. ...

... Word was given to bear his from the minster to the grave, while those who missed him sorely wept and lamented. And so, with loud cries, people followed him away - not one of them was happy, man or woman. Before he was buried there were prayers and chants from the great concourse of clergy who were present at this funeral.

The Nibelungenlied, trans, by A.T. Hatto, Penguin Classics, Great Britain, 1965, p. 138-139.

PLACE: Worms, Burgundy.

TIME: Middle Ages (11th century?)

CIRCUMSTANCE: Siegfried's funeral.

 

642.

Fair Gotelind left this camp behind her, and fine horses past counting advanced over the roads to the music of their bridles. It was a very fine welcome and Rudiger was highly gratified.

The Nibelungenlied, trans. by A.T. Hatto, Penguin Classics, Great Britain, 1965, p. 167.

PIACE: Bavaria, Germany.

TIME: Middle Ages (11th Century?)

CIRCUMSTANCE: Gotelind gives Kriemhild a warm welcome on her travel to Hungary.


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