I’m not musical. Hence, this is the only choral arrangement that I could sing with you, any time, even a capella. Reason? I grew up Mennonite.
“606” – so called because for years it was hymn #606 in the Mennonite Hymnal — is an arrangement of the doxology. It is, or it used to be, sung often enough in Mennonite churches that it could be called the Mennonite national anthem. Which means it was sung often enough that I, who have to hear a song about 100 times before I catch on, actually had a chance to learn it. It wasn’t until years later, hearing it after a gap in time, that I realized how very German it sounds. The Mennonites are an Anabaptist sect founded by Menno Simons. He was actually a Freislander, but Mennonites are German enough in culture that it has influenced their music.
I was inspired to post this when Chris posted an arrangement of Nearer, My God, to Thee that reminded me very much of the music I grew up with.
Out of Babel Books 
Thanks for this glimpse into the music and churches of our Mennonite neighbors. Before moving here into the Shenandoah we had never met or seen a Mennonite. Interesting music, Old World sounding to me. But, I, too, cannot remember the words to any tune other than Happy Birthday!
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Yes, very Old World indeed!
I can remember the words just fine, but the melodies take me for-e-vah. Let alone anything more complicated!
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I vaguely remember this. How Mennonite were you – no hair cuts, long dresses, horse an buggy, no electricity?
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That’s Amish. I was raised by modern hippie Marxist Mennonites, though there were still a few older ladies in our church who would wear a mesh cap over their hair.
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Marxist? So you’re a closet Communist. I
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Not anymore. In my case, my political awakening came when I started to realize all the class war stuff I had been taught didn’t make sense.
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So you grew up mennonite, that’s cool. I grew up in Amish country in Lancaster PA and went to a mennonite private school for middleschool.
Good times 🙂
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I’ve been Mennonite in Pennsylvania, the Midwest, and the West. And yes in Eastern PA. Nice (?) that we have that in common.
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Least it means I understand what you’re talking about 😀
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I was going to say “so that is why we are simpatico” … but speaking to Bookstooge, that would be heresy.
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At least less prickly 😀
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