 The Lichtenau rail station was the passenger station
for much of Molotschna, probably beginning in the late 19th century. (Most, if not
all, of our direct ancestry would have boarded trains across the river from Halbstadt.)Some
trains took Mennonites north in hopes of emigration, usually to Canada. However, it
was also in Lichtenau that Mennonites left for exile in Siberia and other points east.
Hope and Sadness.
When Mennonites left either way, it was said to be the custom for those leaving and
those staying to sing So nimm denn meine Hände at the station. According
to some, when the last Mennonites left, the Ukrainians sang for them.
|
So nimm denn meine Hände
So nimm denn meine Hände und führe mich
bis an mein selig Ende und ewiglich!
Ich kann allein nicht gehen, nich einen Schritt;
wo Du wirst hen un stehen,da nimm mich mit.Wenn ich auch gleich
nichts fühle von Deiner Macht,
Du führst mich doch zum Ziele auch durch die Nacht.
So nimm denn meine Hände und führe mich
bis an mein selig Ende und ewiglich. |
Take Thou My Hand, O Father
Take Thou my hand, O Father, and lead Thou me.
Until my journey endeth, Eternally,
Alone I will not wander One single day;
Be Thou my true companion, And with me stay.Though naught of
thy great power May move my soul.
With Thee through night and darkness I reach the goal.
Take, then, my hands, O Father, And lead Thou me
Until my journey endeth Eternally. |
We
had brought the German words with us, and we sang together as Mennonites of the past had
done, in memory of their physical suffering and loss of home and place. And yet it
was in celebration that through the loss, there was an abiding faith.