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Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts":

Simplicity in Song

 

 

original Shaker manucript of the song

© PineTree Music



Here are the facts...

There is a lot of information about this simple song on the Web
and a lot of it is incorrect.

For many years, folksingers and other folks have given the wrong information about this simple Shaker song.

First, it NOT an anonymous folk hymn.

The tune may sound like some earlier one but that is merely a coincidence of similar melody with no connection.

As indicated in the above picture,
"Simple Gifts" is indicated as a "Dancing Song" and thus it is not accurate to call it a hymn.
Shaker hymns have more than one verse.
"Simple Gifts has only one verse which is typical of their songs, especially the ones used for their dancing.


Also, the first line is NOT: "Tis a gift to be simple"


Here are the original words to this ONE verse religious dance song with both sections to be repeated:

[A] Tis the gift to be simple, tis the gift to be free,
Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
"Twill be in the valley of love and delight. (repeat A section)
[B] When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,
To turn, turn, will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning, We come round right. (repeat B section)

Note: the words in the B section are referring to dance instructions.

This dance song was intended to be sung at a brisk tempo not as a slow ballad
as often sung today.

All the additional verses you see elsewhere are NOT by any Shaker musicians.
These other versions should be identified who wrote them
so they will not be considered part of the original Shaker song.

For example:
"Lord of the Dance" uses the Shaker tune and was arranged with his own words
by British songwriter, Sydney Carter, in 1963. Though his song has been credited properly by some,
there is still some cases where he is not given the proper credit.

 

To read the most accurate information about the popular Shaker song,
order this research article written by the foremost expert on the song's history:



"Simple Gifts": The Discovery and Popularity of a Shaker Dance Song
by Roger Lee Hall

in Communal Societies Journal
(Vol 36, No 2, 2016)

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This shorter book (PineTree Press, 2010) has a summary of facts about the song and its composer:

This book is available as PDF including a biography of the Shaker composer of this song,
plus an interview with composer, Aaron Copland.

You will also receive two audio files at no extra charge:

01: audio recording (MP3) of the original Shaker song performed by a church choir in Ohio.
02: audio highlight (MP3) from an interview with composer, Aaron Copland, about his arrangements of the Shaker song.

This book (PDF) and 2 audio recordings of the song are only available at this website
for only $14.95 through safe and secure PayPal and payable to PineTree Productions.

To order your copy, click the "Add to Cart" below --

 


 


 

 

Important!

After you have sent your payment,
send an e-mail and indicate where you wish your pdf book
and two audio examples to be sent as email downloads.

 


 


The larger book (PineTree Press, 2nd edition, 2019) was written by Roger Lee Hall, an ethnomusicologist and authority on Shaker music.
This book has more information about the song and its composer, Elder Joseph Brackett.
It also has an interview with composer, Aaron Copland, about his arrangements of the song, and information about the 1963 song based on it the Shaker tune,"Lord of the Dance," by Sydney Carter.


Read how to order your copy of this book -- click here

 

 

 

 

 



May 6 is Joseph Brackett Day

Elder Joseph Brackett, 1797-1882

Sponsored by The American Tune Lovers Society (ATLS), this day of remembrance began in 1997 on the bicentennial of the birth of Elder Joseph Brackett.

Brackett biographer, Roger Lee Hall, in his book, Simple Gifts: Great American Folk Song, quoted a Shaker sister from Maine who wrote this to one of her relatives:

You are a stranger to me but it must be that you are a very good man to be worthy of your lineage grandfather's brother whom you inquire about,
was our Elder Joseph, a man dearly loved by us all, one of the best men that ever lived.

Each year there is a birthday commemoration of the Shaker religious leader who composed the words and music to "Simple Gifts" in 1848.

It is ironice that May 6 was also the birthdate of Sydney Carter but not the same year. He was the British composer of "Lord of the Dance."
He arranged the Shaker tune and added his own words which have become very popular.

It is not generally known that Joseph Brackett also composed another song which has been revived in our time.

Titled, "The True Vine," it was composed in 1856. To hear an arrangement by Conrad Held of this song,
and an arrangement of "Simple Gifts" by Roger Lee Hall, order this AMRC CD:

 

 

Description which first appeared in the national directory, Chase's Calendar of Events:

"JOSEPH BRACKETT DAY. May 6. Day honoring the Shaker religious leader, born May 6, 1797, at Cumberland, ME. In 1848 he composed the popular Shaker song "Simple Gifts" (also known as "Tis the gift to be simple) while at the Shaker community in Alfred, ME. This Shaker song became known worldwide after Aaron Copland used it in his score for the ballet Appalachian Spring in 1944. Elder Joseph Brackett died at New Gloucester, ME, July 4, 1882."

An arrangement of "Simple Gifts" for chorus by Roger Lee Hall is available on You Tube -- click here

See also this description on Checkiday of Joseph Brackett and his famous dance song -- click here

 

 

 




 

 

 

Related Links

 

Shaker Music - Resources asnd Recordings

Shaker Books and Articles -- books and articles about Shaker music.

Shaker Music History -- highlights from 18th to 20th centuries.

Simple Gifts - a list of CDs both recommended and not recommended.

 

 

For comments or questions, write to:

Joseph Brackett's Simple Gifts

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Music of the American Shakers - Resources and Recordings


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