Manfred Siebald
Encyclopedia
Manfred Siebald is a German singer-songwriter
and Lecturer in American Studies
in Mainz
.
Siebald is best known as a Christian
singer-songwriter, who writes and speaks on contemporary worship music. His songs have gained a firm place in the songbooks of many different Christian denomination
s and are sung in fellowships and youth groups throughout Germany
.
, the viola
and the piano
. Along with his studies at the University of Marburg he took instruction in harmonisation
and singing. As early as 1970 he was conducting the Youth for Christ
Choir and singing in the Christ Singers. He also brought out his first single - "Meinst du wirklich, es genügt?" - at that time. In 1972 he published his first solo album, entitled Da steh ich nun. Siebald gained an international following with his performances at Eurofest '75
, the international youth conference and evangelistic crusade which was organized by the Billy Graham
organisation in Brussels
. Siebald has often been compared with the singer-songwriter Reinhard Mey
for his style, and sometimes with Graham Kendrick
for his influence on Christian music in his country.
Over time he has become the most well-known German Christian singer songwriter, and has influenced many others. This is demonstrated, among other things, by the release of the album In deinem Haus - A Tribute to Manfred Siebald in 2003, consisting of reinterpretations of some of Siebald’s best-loved songs by other well-known Christian musicians (such as Michael Janzde from the group Beatbetriebde). The album was arranged by Florian Sitzmannde and produced by Arne Kopfermannde.
Siebald also translates English songs and writes lyrics for other singers. For example, he wrote all the lyrics for Cae Gauntt'sde album Welt von 1000 Wegen. He is frequently asked to write a theme song for special meetings or conferences. This was the case when he wrote "Von deinen Worten können wir leben" (We Can Live Off Your Words) for The Year of the Bible
in 1992. To date Siebald has penned about 350 songs, produced 19 albums and published seven poetry books.
Manfred Siebald performs about thirty concerts annually, accompanying himself on various acoustic guitar
s. For this he travels all over Germany and abroad. For his concerts abroad, including the U.S.
, South Africa
and Sri Lanka
, he has produced English versions of his songs.
. While on tour in America with the German Youth for Christ Choir, he studied at Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana
, in 1969. He then read German and English philology
at Philipps University of Marburg
. He trained to be a secondary school
teacher of English and German, taking his first state diploma examination in 1972. After his marriage in 1973 he paused his studies for three years, completing his teacher training by taking the second state examination in 1976.
In 1977 he did a PhD
in American studies at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
. His dissertation dealt with the topic Auflehnung im Werk Herman Melvilles - Rebellion in Herman Melville's Novels. In 1983 he was made Assistant Professor (tenure
d) for American Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University and continued his academic work after completion of his PhD. He interrupted his work at Mainz by taking sabbaticals at Wheaton College (Illinois)
(Clyde S. Kilby
Professor in 1992) and Guest Professor at Georgia State University
in Atlanta (1996 and 1997). In the first year (1996) Siebald produced the monograph Der verlorene Sohn in der amerikanischen Literatur - The Prodigal Son
in American Literature - which was published in 2003. He was made Associate Professor in American Studies in Mainz in 2002 and has remained there to the present.
, together with about 50 other Christians also working in the arts.
He is married to a doctor, Christine Siebald (née Stossberg), and they have a son, Benjamin, born in 1984.
In 2008, President Horst Köhler
awarded him and his wife the Federal Cross of Merit for their tireless charity work both at home and abroad.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and Lecturer in American Studies
American studies
American studies or American civilization is an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of the United States. It traditionally incorporates the study of history, literature, and critical theory, but also includes fields as diverse as law, art, the media, film, religious studies, urban...
in Mainz
Mainz
Mainz under the Holy Roman Empire, and previously was a Roman fort city which commanded the west bank of the Rhine and formed part of the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire...
.
Siebald is best known as a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
singer-songwriter, who writes and speaks on contemporary worship music. His songs have gained a firm place in the songbooks of many different Christian denomination
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
s and are sung in fellowships and youth groups throughout Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
Artistic and musical career
As a child Manfred Siebald learned to play several musical instruments, including the violinViolin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, the viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
and the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. Along with his studies at the University of Marburg he took instruction in harmonisation
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
and singing. As early as 1970 he was conducting the Youth for Christ
Youth for Christ
Youth for Christ is the name of a number of previously unaffiliated evangelical Protestant religious campaigns which led to the creation of Youth for Christ International in 1946....
Choir and singing in the Christ Singers. He also brought out his first single - "Meinst du wirklich, es genügt?" - at that time. In 1972 he published his first solo album, entitled Da steh ich nun. Siebald gained an international following with his performances at Eurofest '75
Eurofest '75
An International Youth Conference and evangelistic crusade organised by the Billy Graham Organisation in Brussels, Belgium. It followed on from Spree '73 held in London...
, the international youth conference and evangelistic crusade which was organized by the Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
organisation in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. Siebald has often been compared with the singer-songwriter Reinhard Mey
Reinhard Mey
Reinhard Friedrich Michael Mey is a German singer-songwriter, known to fans as "Liedermacher". In France he is known as Frédérik Mey....
for his style, and sometimes with Graham Kendrick
Graham Kendrick
Graham Kendrick is a prolific British Christian singer-songwriter and worship leader. He is the son of a Baptist pastor. He now lives in Croydon and is a former member of Ichthus Christian Fellowship...
for his influence on Christian music in his country.
Over time he has become the most well-known German Christian singer songwriter, and has influenced many others. This is demonstrated, among other things, by the release of the album In deinem Haus - A Tribute to Manfred Siebald in 2003, consisting of reinterpretations of some of Siebald’s best-loved songs by other well-known Christian musicians (such as Michael Janzde from the group Beatbetriebde). The album was arranged by Florian Sitzmannde and produced by Arne Kopfermannde.
Siebald also translates English songs and writes lyrics for other singers. For example, he wrote all the lyrics for Cae Gauntt'sde album Welt von 1000 Wegen. He is frequently asked to write a theme song for special meetings or conferences. This was the case when he wrote "Von deinen Worten können wir leben" (We Can Live Off Your Words) for The Year of the Bible
Bible society
A Bible society is a non-profit organization devoted to translating, publishing, distributing the Bible at affordable costs and advocating its credibility and trustworthiness in contemporary cultural life...
in 1992. To date Siebald has penned about 350 songs, produced 19 albums and published seven poetry books.
Manfred Siebald performs about thirty concerts annually, accompanying himself on various acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
s. For this he travels all over Germany and abroad. For his concerts abroad, including the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, he has produced English versions of his songs.
Academic career
In 1967 Siebald graduated from secondary school in KasselKassel
Kassel is a town located on the Fulda River in northern Hesse, Germany. It is the administrative seat of the Kassel Regierungsbezirk and the Kreis of the same name and has approximately 195,000 inhabitants.- History :...
. While on tour in America with the German Youth for Christ Choir, he studied at Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana
North Manchester, Indiana
North Manchester is a town in Chester Township, Wabash County, Indiana, United States. Peter Ogan, acting as the town’s founder filed for recording the 'Original Plat of Manchester' on February 13, 1846...
, in 1969. He then read German and English philology
Philology
Philology is the study of language in written historical sources; it is a combination of literary studies, history and linguistics.Classical philology is the philology of Greek and Classical Latin...
at Philipps University of Marburg
Philipps University of Marburg
The Philipp University of Marburg , was founded in 1527 by Landgrave Philip I of Hesse as the world's oldest university dating back to a Protestant foundation...
. He trained to be a secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
teacher of English and German, taking his first state diploma examination in 1972. After his marriage in 1973 he paused his studies for three years, completing his teacher training by taking the second state examination in 1976.
In 1977 he did a PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in American studies at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
The Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz is a university in Mainz, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany, named after the printer Johannes Gutenberg. With approximately 36,000 students in about 150 schools and clinics, it is among the ten largest universities in Germany...
. His dissertation dealt with the topic Auflehnung im Werk Herman Melvilles - Rebellion in Herman Melville's Novels. In 1983 he was made Assistant Professor (tenure
Tenure
Tenure commonly refers to life tenure in a job and specifically to a senior academic's contractual right not to have his or her position terminated without just cause.-19th century:...
d) for American Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University and continued his academic work after completion of his PhD. He interrupted his work at Mainz by taking sabbaticals at Wheaton College (Illinois)
Wheaton College (Illinois)
Wheaton College is a private, evangelical Protestant liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the United States...
(Clyde S. Kilby
Clyde S. Kilby
Clyde Samuel Kilby was an American author and English professor, best known for his scholarship on the Inklings, especially J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. A professor at Wheaton College for most of his life, Dr. Kilby founded the Marion E...
Professor in 1992) and Guest Professor at Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Georgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
in Atlanta (1996 and 1997). In the first year (1996) Siebald produced the monograph Der verlorene Sohn in der amerikanischen Literatur - The Prodigal Son
Parable of the Prodigal Son
The Prodigal Son, also known as the Lost Son and the Prodigal Father, is one of the parables of Jesus. It appears in only one of the Canonical gospels of the New Testament. According to the Gospel of Luke a father extravagantly gives his sons their inheritance before he dies...
in American Literature - which was published in 2003. He was made Associate Professor in American Studies in Mainz in 2002 and has remained there to the present.
Other activities
Manfred Siebald is Curator of the Faith and Science Institute of the Studentenmission in Deutschland (SMD), the German equivalent of the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF). In 1979 the nationwide television special "Whether My Songs Are Loud or Soft" was broadcast about his work. The same year, he co-founded the Christian arts group Das Rad (The Wheel) in WetzlarWetzlar
Wetzlar is a city in the state of Hesse, Germany. Located at 8° 30′ E, 50° 34′ N, Wetzlar straddles the river Lahn and is on the German Timber-Framework Road which passes mile upon mile of half-timbered houses. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Lahn-Dill-Kreis on the north edge of...
, together with about 50 other Christians also working in the arts.
He is married to a doctor, Christine Siebald (née Stossberg), and they have a son, Benjamin, born in 1984.
In 2008, President Horst Köhler
Horst Köhler
Horst Köhler is a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union. He was President of Germany from 2004 to 2010. As the candidate of the two Christian Democratic sister parties, the CDU and the CSU, and the liberal FDP, Köhler was elected to his first five-year term by the Federal Assembly on...
awarded him and his wife the Federal Cross of Merit for their tireless charity work both at home and abroad.
Popular songs
- „Ins Wasser fällt ein Stein“ - “A Stone Drops in the Pond”,
original text (“It only takes a spark”) and music: Kurt KaiserKurt KaiserKurt Kaiser, is an award winning songwriter of Contemporary Christian music and member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. He has produced and arranged albums for the likes of: Kathleen Battle, Ernie Ford, Larnelle Harris, Burl Ives, Ken Medema, Christopher Parkening, George Beverly Shea, Joni...
de
(His most well-known song in the Evangelisches Gesangbuch de - “Protestant hymnal”.) - „Es geht ohne Gott in die Dunkelheit“ - “It's dark without God”
- „In Deinem Haus“ - “In your house, Lord”
- „Jesus, zu dir kann ich so kommen wie ich bin“ - “I can come to you, Jesus, just as I am”
(music: Johannes Nitschde)
(This was sung every evening of the ProChristde crusade.) - „Gut, dass wir einander haben“ - “It's good that we've got each other”
(song about the advantages of Christian fellowship) - „Friede sei mit dir“ - “Peace be with thee” (benediction)
- „Du bist mein Rabe“ - “You are my raven” (love song)
- „Über Nacht“ - “Over night”
(song about the fall of the Berlin WallBerlin WallThe Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin...
and German reunificationGerman reunificationGerman reunification was the process in 1990 in which the German Democratic Republic joined the Federal Republic of Germany , and when Berlin reunited into a single city, as provided by its then Grundgesetz constitution Article 23. The start of this process is commonly referred by Germans as die...
1989/90) - „Mit federleichter Hand“ - “With a Soft Touch” (love song)
- „Wenn der Mund stumm ist“ - “If I hold my tongue”
(song about the September 11, 2001 attacksSeptember 11, 2001 attacksThe September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
) - „Die Weihnachtsfreude“ - “Christmas joy”
(A well-known carol, used as the theme tune for the cartoon Die Stadt, die Weihnachten vergaß - The Town That Forgot Christmas.) - „Wenn wir Gott in der Höhe ehren“ - “If we glorify God in the Highest” (Christmas carol)
Vinyl albums
- Da steh ich nun (1972)
Here I stand - Ich gehe weiter (1974)
I'll press on - Das ungedüngte Feld (1976)
A Field of organic food
see: discussion - Zeitpunkte (1978)
Points in Time - Überall hat Gott seine Leute (1983) ("Manfred Siebald and Friends")
God has his people everywhere
The title comes from Manfred's translation of Andrae CrouchAndrae CrouchAndraé Crouch is a seven-time Grammy Award-winning American gospel singer, songwriter, arranger, recording artist, record producer, and pastor.-Early years:Born Andraé Edward Crouch in San Francisco, California....
's song "Through it all". - Kreuzschnabel (1985)
CrossbillCrossbillThe crossbill is a bird in the finch family . The three to five species are all classified in the genus Loxia. These birds are characterised by the mandibles crossing at their tips, which gives the group its English name... - Alles auf seine Weise - Liebeslieder (1986)
Everything in its own way - Love songs
Compact discs
- Gib mir die richtigen Worte (1987) (Sampler)
Words that are wise and yet simple
see: discussion - Spuren (1988)
Traces - Von Wegen (1991)
No Way - Amasement
(Instrumentals arranged by Tom Keene) - Du bist mein Rabe - Lieder von der Liebe (1993)
You are my raven - Love songs - Worte wie Brot - Lieder für den Gottesdienst (1994) (“Manfred Siebald and friends”)
Words like bread - Worship songs - Lass uns Freunde sein (Songs for children)(1996) (“Manfred Siebald and children”)
Let's Be Friends - Nicht vergessen (1998)
Not Forgotten - Weltbewegende Winzigkeiten (2000)
Little Things That Make the World Go Round - Was die Engel uns sagen (2000) ("Manfred Siebald and friends") - Songs for Christmas
What the angels tell us - Vielleicht kommst du mit (2001)
Maybe you'll come along - Morgenmantelmorgen (2004)
Dressing Gown Morning - Singen Sie bald mit? (2005) (Sampler) Manfred Siebald's congregational songs
Will you sing along? - Ich lass dich nicht fallen (2006)
I won't let you fall - The first four vinyl albums have been re-released on compact disc as a 4-CD pack.
Publications
For an extensive list of the academic publications see http://www.amerikanistik.uni-mainz.de/siebald.htmlPoetry books
- Ist schon alles gesagt (1976) Poetry collection Has Everything Been Said?
- Worauf noch warten (1980) Poetry collection Why Wait
- Kreuzschnabel (1983) Poetry collection Crossbill (with woodcuts by Andreas Felgerde)
- Wir brauchen Mut (1992) Poetry collection We Need Courage
- Lehn dich zurück (1992) Poetry collection Lean Back
- Von den Augen abgelesen (1993) Book of poetry Read My Eyes
- Du bist mein Rabe (1993) Book of poetry You Are my Raven (with Christine Siebald)
Other books
- Auflehnung im Werk Herman Melvilles — Rebellion in Herman MelvilleHerman MelvilleHerman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet. He is best known for his novel Moby-Dick and the posthumous novella Billy Budd....
's Novels (1979) (dissertation) - Eine Handvoll schöner Gedanken Collection of aphorisms - A handful of beautiful thoughts (1985)
- Das Leben ist eine Boulebahn - Life is a bowling alley (2003)
ISBN 3-417-24724-1 - Der verlorene Sohn in der amerikanischen Literatur - The prodigal son in American literature (2003)
ISBN 3-8253-1302-6 (Monograph) - Die ganze Weite: Ein Amerika-Lesebuch. - The big picture: An American primer (2004)
ISBN 3-87630-525-X - Gib mir den richtigen Ton. Lauter Liedergeschichten – Give me the right sound. Stories of famous songs (2006)
ISBN 3-7751-4355-6 - Dorothy L. SayersDorothy L. SayersDorothy Leigh Sayers was a renowned English crime writer, poet, playwright, essayist, translator and Christian humanist. She was also a student of classical and modern languages...
: Leben - Werk - Gedanken. - Her life, work and thoughts (2007)
ISBN 978-3-937896-51-9 - Pitti lächelt und andere Geschichten - Pitti smiled and other stories (2008)
ISBN 978-3-7655-1982-6
Articles
- Amerikanisierung des Dramas und Dramatisierung Amerikas - Americanisation of Drama and Dramatisation of America (1985)
Marriage Studies by Hans Helmcke, contributions by Horst Immel and Manfred Siebald. - "Salt of the EarthSalt and LightSalt and light are metaphors used by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, one of the main teachings of Jesus on morality and discipleship. These metaphors in Matthew 5:13-16 immediately follow the Beatitudes and refer to expectations from the disciples....
." Article in A Dictionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature. David Lyle Jeffrey, general editor. Grand Rapids: W.B. Eerdmans, 1992.
ISBN 0-8028-3634-8.
External links
- Official web site in German and English
- Article by Radio Khwezi, South Africa in English
- Transcription of an interview on the Bavarian Radio Alpha Forum on 8th June 2007 in German
- Academic CV (Resumé) link dead - 14 September 2009