Daisy and Curtis Duff in Oakland, Maryland. Daisy was born and raised Amish, Curtis is a convert.
By Kevin Williams
I saw someone posted a link to a video on Twitter of Amish singing. I clicked over and it was of a video I had seen before. Â It was first posted about 4 years ago and is of some singing at the funeral for an Amish woman. Â One of her nephews was there and recorded a 3 minute video clip of them singing. Â People were probably aware they were being filmed. This particular Amish settlement is very progressive in their permission of photos. Â The Amish of Oakland, Maryland align with the New Order Amish church. Â Some online postings will incorrectly say this group is "shunned" by other Amish, but that is not true. Â They do not, however, fellowship with other Amish churches. Â Â I think they may fellowship with a couple of other "electric Amish" churches in Kentucky and Kansas. Â The Amish in Oakland do allow electricity, but they are a horse and buggy church.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH AND HEAR THIS BEAUTIFUL RENDITION OF CITY OF LIGHT.
If you never get a chance to attend an Amish church service (which is most of us), this clip is the closest you'll come. Â I love, love, love the video because, to me, it shows the Amish at their best, capturing their sense of comfort and community.
I did an article a few years ago about Oakland for The Guardian newspaper. Â Because this church is a bit more liberal, it does attract some converts. Â You can read my article here.
City of Light is a well-known hymn, but most Amish church music is sung out of the Ausbund. Â There is a wonderful book about the Ausbund, I have a copy. Â The book was actually written by an Amish man in the 1990s and there are a handful of copies left on Amazon.
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