Lied

Lied (plural lieder) is a German word, literally meaning "song", but among English speakers used primarily as a term for classical songs, sometimes gathered in song cycles, by composers such as Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann.

Amongst German speakers, the term Lied has a much older and longer history, ranging from 12th-century troubadour songs (Minnesang) via folk songs (Volkslieder) and church hymns (Kirchenlieder) to 20th-century satirical or protest songs (Kabarettlieder, Protestlieder).