Strict Rules When It Comes to Music

While it may evoke sadness in many, the Amish way of life steadfastly adheres to a principle of minimal self-expression. In this tightly-knit community, playing or listening to music is strictly forbidden, a rule designed to deter the sin of pride from taking root.

Yet, amid this prohibition, a ray of musical tradition persists in the form of German songs from the revered Ausbunch songbook. This ancient hymnal, devoid of musical notations, houses melodies that have traversed generations, transcending time itself. Though the original tunes have been lost to the annals of history, the enduring spirit of these hymns lives on.