Final answer:
The irony of the spread of printed songs in sixteenth-century Germany lies in the fact that they targeted the common folk but were primarily accessible to the literate bourgeoisie, aiding in the formation of modern nation-states and the Protestant Reformation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most ironic aspect related to the increase of printed songs in sixteenth-century Germany is that while these songs were intended for the common folk, the spread of printed music largely benefited the educated and literate classes, which were not representative of the majority of the population. As the printing press targeted a growing literate audience and was driven by capitalist motives, printers produced materials in local languages. This trend supported the spread of literacy and standardized languages, aiding the formation of modern nation-states and helping to fuel movements like the Protestant Reformation. Despite the intention to reach the common folks, it was the burgeoning bourgeois class that had the literacy skills to enjoy these printed songs. Thus, the great irony lies in the fact that the dissemination of music intended for the general population was initially accessible primarily to those with the education to appreciate it.