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Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts" - Simplicity in Song

 

 

original Shaker manucript of the song

© PineTree Music

 

There is a lot of misinformation about this simple song on the Web.

For example, claiming Elder Joseph Brackett was born in Massachusetts instead of in Maine -- click here.

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

First, it NOT an anonymous folk hymn.

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"
The original words are more specific -- "Tis the gift"


Here are the original words to this ONE verse religious dance song by Elder Joseph brackett
with the tune in two sections (A + B) of 8 measures each:

[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 contain dance instructions.

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

All the additional verses you see elsewhere are NOT by any Shakers.
The non-Shaker texts should be identified who wrote them
so they will not be considered part of the original Shaker song.


The popular folk song, "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 he deserves.

 

 

This book (PineTree Press, 72 pages) is available as PDF including a biography of the Shaker composer of the Shaker song,
an interview with composer, Aaron Copland, and information about the song.

Plus two audio files at no extra charge:

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

This book (PDF) and 2 audio recordings of the song are only available at this website
for $11.95 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 in your payment,
please send an e-mail and mention the title
where your copy of the pdf book
will be sent by email
and also two bonus audio files.

Send your email address to:

Simple Gifts book

 

 

Also available separately is a larger book

 

"Simple Gifts": Great American Folk Song
by Roger Lee Hall (3rd edition)

To order this larger book with additional research articles,
plus bonus audio and concert video examples -- go here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also available separately is 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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

This description 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, Maine 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, Maine. 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, Maine, July 4, 1882."

Brackett biographer, Roger Lee Hall, in his book, Simple Gifts: Great American Folk Song, quoted a Shaker sister from Maine who wrote the following 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 coincidental that May 6 was also the birthday of Sydney Carter (1915-2004) who 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 others songs.
One of them is "The True Vine," composed in 1856. To hear an arrangement by Conrad Held of this beautiful song,
and also an arrangement of "Simple Gifts" by Roger Lee Hall, order this popular AMRC CD:

 

 

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

 

 

 

Illustrated Shaker Music Program

 

Would you like to schedule a program by Roger Hall
to speak about the "Simple Gifts" song
and hear some examples?

In his illustrated talk (available online or in person) he will tell how "Simple Gifts" was written and its impact on popular culture,
including excerpts from interviews he conducted with
Sister Mildred Barker from the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community,
and American classical composer, Aaron Copland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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