This collection of German songs contains two strains of tradition: the political song and the folk song. It is not always clear where the distinction between the two can be drawn, since many political songs become folk songs due to their popularity, and many folk songs have a clear, emancipatory - and thus political - dimension.

But the main criterion for inclusion in this anthology is the popularity a song has enjoyed, either down through the centuries or more recently, in German-speaking or non-German-speaking countries. The addition of scores is another plus, offering an opportunity to recognize the songs musically.