'O Gott Vater, wir loben dich' — 'O God Father, we praise You.' Second song at every Sunday service. Always. 460 years. Every community. No exceptions.
Meaning
Lob Lied is the anchor. Community may argue about rules, technology, skirt length. But Lob Lied is unchangeable. First verse — Vorsinger alone. Second — everyone joins. The moment of unity.
Melody
Slow, chant-like. Every word stretched. 'O — Go-o-o-ott — Va-a-a-ter' — four syllables take 30 seconds. Entire hymn — 20-25 minutes. For modern people — unbearably slow. For Amish — right. Fast = hurried = worldly.