The Helvetia Männerchor is a Swiss singing society in Columbus, Ohio. Every three years, we participate in a North American Swiss Singing Festival (Sängerfest), the next of which is to be held in 2003, the year of Ohio's Bicentennial. To celebrate both occasions, we would like to find a song, or a poem that could be set to music, written by an early Swiss or German settler in Ohio, written either in German or Swiss German. (For that matter, French, Italian, or Rumantsch would be fine, but I didn't want to press my luck!! :) )

I have checked with the Swiss-American Historical Society and the Ohioana Memorial Library (part of the State Library of Ohio in Columbus, which might be a helpful resource for you). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Harold D. Thomas Columbus, Ohio