How did Des Knaben Wunderhorn preserve German folk songs and verse?

Des Knaben Wunderhorn (1805–08), an anthology edited by Clemens Brentano and Achim von Arnim, preserved German folk songs and verse by reviving interest in the Volkslied (folk song) tradition during the Romantic movement.12

The collection preserved the melodic, spontaneous phrases and meters characteristic of old German folk songs. While it was presented as a compilation of genuine historical songs, many entries were either anonymous works from the 17th century or were rewritten by the editors to improve what they perceived as "authentically historical discords".1

Although not originally intended for children, the work became a staple of German childhood, drawing a connection between folk heritage and a child's vision of the world. By retrieving this rich cultural legacy, the book promoted a new emotional sensibility and served as a foundational inspiration for later poets of childhood, including A.H. Hoffmann von Fallersleben and Richard Dehmel, thereby cementing its place in the history of children’s literature.2