ROSE ELDER. Why the Amish Sing: Songs of Solidarity & Identity. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014. Pp. 193. $39.95 (US).
Why the Amish Sing: Songs of Solidarity & Identity is a case study of the Amish in Wayne County, Ohio. The book demonstrates both how they use singing for the main purpose of praising God as well as many other purposes throughout their daily lives—throughout childhood and adolescence, in worship, and for special occasions. Elder’s personal interactions with the Wayne County Amish shape this book and, together with her research, insights, and song case studies, create a comprehensive explanation of the role of singing in Amish life.
Before delving into the topic of the role of singing in the Amish community, Elder begins by describing general Amish life, faith, and practice. The first chapter “Who are the Amish?” is an overview of many basics of Amish life including the history of the Amish in Ohio, family life, language and lifestyle, spirituality, and more. This chapter contains valuable prerequisite information to allow readers with all levels of familiarity with Amish culture to gain a basic knowledge in order to more fully engage in the rest of the book.
Elder uses stories of her visits to Amish homes, schools, and churches to illustrate the ways singing is used throughout their community. The reader has the opportunity to hear directly from many Amish from a variety of age groups. Interviewee Jacob “reminisces about the many hours of singing his favorite song, ‘Es sind zween Weg,’ 20-plus years ago to his own children” (49). Elder also introduces the reader to David and his mother Naomi, who work together on the first verse of a familiar song that they sing in the worship service every Sunday (108). We also are able to imagine the festivities of Laura’s September wedding as Elder describes the preparations and events of the day as well as how music is woven throughout the service (121-125). These vignettes and personal conversations are the soul of the book, giving a glimpse into the daily lives of the Amish and allowing the reader to be a part of the experience.
Throughout the book, Elder provides many musical examples to illustrate the functions of each facet of Amish singing. These excerpts of the music notation also allow readers with music literacy skills to grasp the basic melody of each song. In Elder’s description of a New Order singing she attended in Berlin, Ohio, she uses the musical example to illustrate the difference between the way the hymn was printed and the way that the hymn was actually sung. Elder uses specific musical terms to describe the nuances between the two versions noting, “This group disregards most accidental markings–sharps, flats, and naturals that raise or lower a note–and instead sings diatonically or within the key” (80). More specific historical context as well as further explanation of the lack of accidentals is provided. This attention to detail helps the musically-educated reader gain insight into the way singing can evolve in the Amish community, but it leaves me wondering if the detailed explanation would be overwhelming to a reader who has little musical training.
In addition to the musical examples throughout the chapters, Elder devotes an entire chapter each to the case study of the popular Amish song Es sind zween Weg as well as the Loblied or Lobsang. These song dissections include a translation and analysis of the words as well as historical context and significance. In both case studies, Elder explores how the melody of each song varies from person to person or between geographic regions. In the Loblied case study, Elder provides examples of what this song might sound like in various Amish groups in Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. Elder’s detailed analysis and explanation highlights the differences and similarities between the versions of the song. Once again, this musical research is thorough and well-presented, but may be difficult for all readers of varying musical knowledge to fully appreciate.
Any lover of singing in the church can relate to the stories, interviews and comments on the way singing permeates and shapes Amish culture. Elder’s case studies and musical analysis give an intimate look into the history and evolution of singing in the Amish church. The more dense sections of analysis may be fascinating to those with musical training and cumbersome to those who have less musical knowledge. Through her extensive research and stories of Amish singing, Elder helps us all appreciate the value and power of singing in our churches throughout history, today, and as we continue into the future.