Singing Luther's "Ein feste Burg" in the early Dutch Revolt

Martin Luther's famous battle hymn "Ein feste Burg" was adopted by Dutch songwriters through the early Revolt period (1566-1582). This paper considers the melody’s usage in the mid-to-late sixteenth century Dutch language. Ein feste Burg’s appearance in Dutch Revolt-era songbooks not only transcends a language barrier, but it highlights the relationship between contrafacture, confession, and Luther’s legacy. Through a textual and melodic analysis, Ein feste Burg provides contemporary insight into Dutch Reformation-era popular culture and social upheaval.