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Church Music
The Volga German colonists brought their traditional folk and religious music from their German homelands to Russia. Although there were no songbooks with notes in the Volga colonies, the music endured in the Wolgagesangbuch (Volga Songbook) and in the memories of older people, constantly renewed through the singing of younger generations. And so, the music of the Volga Germans was passed down from generation to generation and carried again to their new homeland in America.
Modern versions of the traditional hymns can be enjoyed in the videos below.
Modern versions of the traditional hymns can be enjoyed in the videos below.
The hymn "Gott Ist Die Liebe" (God is Love) was a Volga German favorite.
The Doxology was traditionally sung in English at the end of the Sunday worship service.
The hymn "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God), written by Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation, was often sung in English and German.
Leaning on The Everlasting Arms
"Nun danket alle Gott" (Now, all give thanks to God)
"So nimm denn meine Hände" (O Take My Hand) was written by Julie Katharina von Hausmann with a melody by Friedrich Silcher.
Sources
Last updated June 1. 2025