'song' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'sang' or 'song', where the root referred to a sung piece or vocal sound.

'song' changed from Old English 'sang' (also attested as 'song') and is related to Old Norse 'sǫngr' and German 'Gesang'; these developed from Proto-Germanic '*sangwaz' and eventually became the modern English word 'song'.

Initially, it meant 'a sung sound or chant', and over time it evolved into the current general meaning of 'a musical composition intended to be sung' and related senses.