Reviews
This fine account now stands as the basic reference source on the topic of Amish singing.
A compelling account of one of the most rarely heard and least understood forms of singing in North America today. This is a groundbreaking work: the first to combine historical, social, spiritual, and ethnic values with high levels of musical scholarship and reliable transcriptions so as to reveal Amish song to be a genuine voice of Amish identity and belief systems.
Elder’s work helps us not only to see the Amish as human beings like ourselves but to see ourselves through the Amish. (from the Foreword)
D. Rose Elder convincingly shows the clear importance of the phenomenon of singing to the Amish in many dimensions of their culture and faith.
Book Details
Foreword, by Terry E. Miller
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I: Amish Life and Song
1. Who Are the Amish?
2. The Functions of Amish Singing
3. Case Study:: "Es sind zween Weg"
Part II: Singing in Childhood and
Foreword, by Terry E. Miller
Preface
Acknowledgments
Part I: Amish Life and Song
1. Who Are the Amish?
2. The Functions of Amish Singing
3. Case Study:: "Es sind zween Weg"
Part II: Singing in Childhood and Adolescence
4. Songs for Nurture: Lullabies and Children's Songs
5. Songs for Instruction: Singing at School
6. Case Study: School Repertoire
7. Songs of Identity: Youth Sings
Part III: Singing for Worship
8. Songs of Memory: The Ausbund
9. Songs of Belonging: Baptism, Council, and Communion
10. Case Study: The Loblied, or Lobsand
Part IV: Singing for Special Occasions
11. Songs of Love and Life: Weddings and Funerals
12. Songs of Trust: Music in Daily Life
13. Songs for the Future: Amish Singing in the Twenty-First Century
Appendix I: Additional Musical Examples
Appendix II: Research Methods
Appendix III: Historical Studies of Amish Music
Notes
Bibliography
Index