The wealthy duchy of Tyrol had been ruled by a collateral line of the Habsburg dynasty until 1490, when King Maximilian I (the future Holy Roman Emperor) reintegrated it into the Habsburg Empire and decided to move his residence to its capital, the city of Innsbruck. The city’s location was strategically advantageous for governing Maximilian’s growing empire, and he preferred its Alpine setting to the Habsburg residence in Vienna. Once Innsbruck had become the seat of the Habsburg government and administration, the frequent presence of the court led to a flourishing cultural, commercial and social life in the city. The melody of this song was composed by Maximilian’s Flemish-born court composer, Heinrich Isaac and expresses sadness at having to leave Innsbruck. The author of the lyrics remains unknown.