By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com
Here's your invitation to be part of what could be the oldest continued New Year's tradition in Ohio: Singing traditional German carols composed by David Rothen, a Swiss pioneer in rural Bluffton. The event is sponsored by the Swiss Community Historical Society.
New Year's Caroling, in German and English, takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31. Carolers meet in the lobby of Maple Crest Senior Living, 700 Maple Crest Court. After rehearsal, the group will sing in the halls of Maple Crest. Music scores will be provided and first-time carolers are welcome to join.
Here’s some background on the song writer and the caroling tradition, written in December, 1984, by Agnes Amstutz
Have any of you gone serenading on New Year’s Eve? I have. The first time I recall was about 1912 or so. These carols, or “Neujahr’s-Lied” have a long history of being sung in the Swiss settlement.
I quote from the Bixel Family History written by Betty Bixel Miller: “These carols were preserved, thanks to the memory of Mrs. Abraham Bixel (Magdalene Schumacher). These two songs “Neujahr’s-Lied” and “Stimmt Lieder An” had traditionally been sung, one outside the home and after the group had been invited in, the second song was sung.”
These songs were almost lost, but a teacher, David Rothen, transcribed the words and music as they were sung by Mrs. Abraham Bixel.
These songs were later published by my father, D.C. Amstutz, who published music.
When I was 17 or so, I was invited by my cousin Burdella Amstutz to go with a group of carolers from the Ebenezer Mennonite Church.
Burdella and I were to stay the night with an aunt, Barbara Amstutz. She lived about one-fourth mile east of the Ebenezer Church.
My father took me to Aunt Barbara’s with a horse and buggy. There we were picked up by some farmer who had placed a wagon box on top of a bob-sled.
We were covered with blankets. The night was beautiful, as I remember.
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