Recommended Books for Shaker Music Research
A Collection of Millennial Hymns (Canterbury, N.H., 1847) - hardcover reprint, 1975.
The Gift to be Simple: Songs, Dances and Rituals of the American Shakers. By Edward Deming Andrews (hardcover, 1940/ paperback, 1967).
A Guide to Shaker Music: With Music Supplement. Compiled and annotated by Roger L. Hall
(6th revised edition, 2006).
Heavenly Visions: Shaker Gifts Drawings and Gift Songs. Edited by France Moran
(hardcover, 2002).
Millennial Praises: A Shaker Hymnal
Edited by Christian Goodwillie and Jane F. Crosthwaite (hardcover, 2009).
Sabbathday Lake Shakers: An Introduction to the Shaker Heritage. By Sister R. Mildred Barker (paperback, 1985).
A Shaker Family Album: Photographs from the Collection of Canterbury Shaker Village. By David R. Starbuck and Scott T. Swank (paperback, 1998).
A Shaker Hymnal: A Facsimile Edition of the 1908 Hymnal of the Canterbury Shakers (paperback, 1996).
Shaker Music: A Manifestation of American Folk Culture. By Harold E. Cook (hardcover, 1973).
A Shaker Musical Legacy. By Robert Opdahl and Viola Opdahl (paperback, 2004).
The Shaker Spiritual. By Daniel W. Patterson (2nd edition, paperback, 2000).
The Story of SIMPLE GIFTS: Joseph Brackett's Shaker Dance Song. By Roger L. Hall
(eBook on CD-ROM with audio files, 2006).
Not Recommended for Shaker Music
Selling Shaker: The Commodification of Shaker Design in the Twentieth Century
by Stephen Bowe and Peter Richmond
This large and weighty volume discusses the "value--art--politics" of Shaker design, yet gives no more than a passing reference to Shaker music in the Twentieth Century. The authors neglect to discuss the "value" of this important aspect of Shaker culture. And what the authors list in the Bibliography is wrong as well.
Under "Television, Video, Music and Radio Material" their listing for the CD collection, Let Zion Move: Music of the Shakers, gives credit to:
"Hall, H., Thompson, D & Phelps, L."
The first name should be "Hall, R." (Roger Hall), who edited and wrote the notes for this CD collection. Most of the Shaker recordings were compiled by William Randle, who is not listed at all. "Thompson, D." [Darryl Thompson] wrote the Preface. "Phelps, L." [Lillian Phelps] was one of the Shakers who narrated on the recordings but the other Shaker sister who was also a narrator, R. Mildred Barker, is not listed. Why not include all these people? Or if limited to a few names, then it should be Roger Hall and William Randle, who were both responsible for this CD collection.
The other important recording by the Sabbathday Lake Shakers, Early Shaker Spirituals, is not even listed in the Bibliography of the book.
While music is not the main focus of this book, the incorrect information or lack of it about these two essential recordings by 20th century Shakers and the lack of discussion of this important aspect of Shaker culture demonstrates the research was lacking in this area of Selling Shaker.
The importance of music in Shaker life remains underappreciated, especially by collectors and writers.
To read more about the Let Zion Move collection, which includes an illustrated 72 page booklet discussing Shaker music, go to:
CD Releases
Music Books and Collections
Coming Soon!
A new publication about music
at Canterbury Shaker Village.
It is due for publication in the Summer of 2009 and
will be listed on this page.
"The Best Choice" - A Sampling of American Communal Hymns
(2nd edition, 2006)
This collection was edited and arranged by Roger L. Hall. It contains hymns from these nine American communal groups: The Contented of the God-loving Soul, General Economy, Ephrata Cloister, Harmony Society, United Order, Zoar Separatists, Bishop Hill, The Shakers, and The Hopedale Community.
There is also a Checklist of Selected American Communal Hymnals from 1730 to 1855.
Contents of the collection
Introduction: Singing Utopias - Early American Communal Hymnody
1. The Contented of the God-loving Soul (The Woman in the Wilderness):
"The Best Choice" (ca. 1705) - Johannes Kelpius
2. General Economy (Moravians):
"Hymn for the Spinning Sisters" (1745) -
August G. Spangenberg
3. Ephrata Cloister:
"How Gracious is the Lord" (1747) - Anna Thomen
4. Harmony Society:
"Children of Friendship" (ca. 1820) - Frederick Rapp
5. United Order (Latter Day Saints):
"The Spirit of God" (ca. 1835) -
words by William W. Phelps
6. Zoar Separatists:
"Let Us Your Brethren" (ca. 1840) - words: Gerhard Terstegen/
tune: Solomon Ackerman (arranged by Roger Hall)
7. Bishop Hill:
"O Youth Who Travel On So Far"(1846) - words: Eric Jansson/
tune: V. Schumann (arranged by Roger Hall)
8. The Shakers:
"Come and Welcome" (1846) - David A. Buckingham (arr. Roger Hall)
9. Hopedale Community:
"Farewell, Dear Friends (1849) - words by Adin Ballou/
tunes: New Hingham and Old Hundred (arranged by Roger Hall)
Brief Notes
This music collection is in very limited supply.
To order a copy,
write to:
American Communal Hymns
A Guide to Shaker Music -- With Music Supplement
(6th edition, 2006)
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This popular guide was first published in 1996. It has remained the most extensive reference guide to Shaker music. Now in its 6th edition, it contains the following information:
- Chronology: Evolution of Shaker music
- Shaker tunes and tunesmiths including list of Top Twelve recorded Shaker tunes
- Where to find original Shaker music
- Selected music for voice and instruments
- Shaker tunes vs. folk tunes
- Descriptions of Shaker music and dance
- Where to look for further information
- What music has been recorded on LP and CD
Also included in the Guide is a Music Supplement with 15 Shaker songs and hymns, composed and arranged by Roger Hall:
1. Song: Welcome, Welcome -- Rosetta Cummings,
Enfield, New Hampshire, 1869
2. Song: We Will All Go Home With You --
Canterbury, NH, 1862
3. Hymn: Holy Habitation -- words: Eunice Wyeth/
music: Lebanon, New York, ca. 1848
4. Hymn: The Humble Heart --
words: Eunice Wyeth/
music: Thomas Hammond, Harvard, Massachusettsca. 1820
5. Hymn: Voyage to Canaan -- Richard McNemar, Union Village, ca. 1810
6. Hymn: Celestial Praises -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1841
7. Hymn: Christian Love -- poem: Elvah F. Collins, 1881/
music: Roger Hall, 1980
8. Hymn: My Shepherd -- poem: R. Mildred Barker, 1926/
music: Roger Hall, 1984
9. Hymn: A New Year's Prayer -- poem: R. Mildred Barker, 1921/
music: Roger Hall, 1983
10. Hymn: A Prayer -- poem: R. Mildred Barker, 1922/
music: Roger Hall, 1978
11. Song: May I Softly Walk -- Lebanon, New York, ca. 1869
12. Song: Simple Gifts -- Joseph Brackett Jr., Alfred, Maine, 1848
13. A Welcome Song -- Polly M. Rupe, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1869
14. Introduction to Zion -- David A. Buckingham,
Watervliet, New York, 1846
15. Introduction to Souls -- Matilda A. Butler, Whitewater, Ohio, 1846
Order A Guide to Shaker Music, which includes
an accompanying CD with
all 15 Shaker spirituals
in the
Music Supplement,
at the
AMP Store
How Happy Are They -- Twelve Shaker Spirituals (2007)
1. A Welcome Song -- Polly M. Rupe,
Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1869
2. Hymn: Typical Dancing --
Richard McNemar/ Polly M. Rupe,
Pleasant Hill, 1809
3. Hymn: Farewell Vain World --
Samuel Hooser, Pleasant Hill, 1833
4. I Want to be Living & Free --
South Union,KY
5. Hymn: The Morning Sun --
South Union, 1847 (arr. Roger Hall)
6. Hymn: The Millennium --
South Union, 1847 (arr. Roger Hall)
7. Hymn: How Happy Are They --
Richard McNemar, Watervliet, Ohio, 1833
8. Hymn: Invitation to Souls --
Matilda A. Butler, Whitewater, Ohio, 1846
9. Hymn: On The Birthday of Mother Ann -- James S. Prescott, North Union, Ohio, 1850
10. A Dream --
Harvey L. Eades,
Union Village, Ohio, 1860
11. Hymn: Doxology -- Oliver C. Hampton,
Union Village, 1856
12. My Dear Companions Let's Move On --
Union Village, 1850s
To order your copy,
write to
How Happy Are They
THE STORY OF SIMPLE GIFTS :
Joseph Brackett's
Shaker Dance Song
By Roger L. Hall
Have you ever wondered where the Shaker song, "Simple Gifts" (aka: "Tis the gift to be simple") originated?
Now you can find out in this illustrated eBook which gives more accurate information about the well known Shaker dance song than you'll find anywhere else.
It describes the evolution of "Simple Gifts" from when it was written in 1848 until the present day.
Among the illustrations are a portrait of Elder Joseph Brackett, who wrote the Shaker dance song; and copies of music manuscripts showing the song in its original Shaker notation.
To accompany the e-book, there are audio files including exclusive interviews with Sister R. Mildred Barker (1897-1990) at Sabbathday Lake; and composer Aaron Copland (1900-1990) about his popular arrangements of "Simple Gifts."
A list of the music on the eBook CD-ROM is available at Shaker Music.
Order your copy of The Story of SIMPLE GIFTS,
with audio files on CD-ROM,
at the
AMP Store
Articles About Shaker Music
This a list of sample articles dealing with Shaker music. If you have information about other articles, write to:
Shaker music artciles
Journals and Magazines
American Communal Societies Quarterly
Volume 1, No. 3 (July 2007) is an article titled:
"The Shaker Leaf Song: Solving a Perplexing Puzzle" by Roger Hall
-- to order a copy of this journal issue, write to the editor, Randall L. Ericson, at American Communal Societies Quarterly
Communal Societies
Volume Two (Autumn 1982): "Shaker Music." Daniel W. Patterson.
Journal of Church Music
Volume 17, Number 8 (October 1975)/
also reprinted in The Hymn (January 1976): "Shaker Hymnody: An American Communal Tradition" by Roger L. Hall
Volume 24, Number 2 (February 1982): "An Interview with Aaron Copland" by Roger L. Hall.
-- reprints of these articles may be ordered from American Music Preservation
The Shaker Journal
Vicki Bell: Music of the Angels
Randy Folger: The Pleasant Hill Singers Record a New CD
Roger Hall: Religion in Song - The Craftsmanship of Shaker Music
The Shaker Messenger
A magazine produced by The World of Shaker in Holland, Michigan, but no longer published.
In each issue there was a "Shaker Song Series" compiled and edited by Roger Hall. This was the longest-running series since the Shakers published music in their own publication, The Manifesto in the 19th century. Between 1981 and 1996, there were 56 Shaker tunes in the Shaker Song Series. A list of the Shaker tunes in the series is available by request. Also in the magaine were these articles:
Volume 2, Number 2 (Winter 1980): "Simple Gifts: Shaker simplicity in Song." Roger L. Hall.
Volume 5, Number 4 (Summer 1983): "Letteral Notations for Shaker Song." Marius B. Peladeau.
The Shaker Quarterly
A magazine published since 1961 by the Sabbathday Lake Shakers. These are some of the articles mentioning Shaker music:
Volume I, Number 1 (Spring 1961: "The Shakers' Sundry Strange Tunes." Daniel W. Patterson.
Volume II, Number 2 (Summer 1962): "A Ballad by Elder Issachar Bates." Daniel W. Patterson.
Volume IV, Number 4 (Winter 1964): "Mother Has Come With Her Beautiful Song." Sister R. Mildred Barker.
Volume V, Number 1 (Spring 1965): "The Rolling Deep." Sister R. Mildred Barker.
Volume V, Number 2 (Summer 1965): "My Sweet Home in Zion." Brother Theodore E. Johnson.
Volume VI, Number 3 (Fall 1966): "The Influence of Inspiration and Discipline upon the Development of the Shaker Spiritual." Daniel W. Patterson.
Volume VII, Number 2 (Summer 1967): "History of Union Branch, Gorham, Maine." Sister R. Mildred Barker. Biographical information about Elder Joseph Brackett and his song, "Simple Gifts."
Volume VII, Number 2 (Fall 1967): "O Thou God of My Salvation." Brother Theodore E. Johnson.
Volume X, Number 4 (Winter 1970): "Eldress Mary Ann Gillespie's 'Beautiful Are They Who Stand Upon Zion." Brother Theodore E. Johnson.
Volume XIV, Number 4 (Winter 1974): "The Shaker Dove." Daniel W. Patterson.
Volume XVI, Number 3 (Fall 1988): "The 'Simple Gifts' of Elder Joseph Brackett Jr." Wendell Hess.
Volume XVII, Number 4 (Winter 1989): "Implications of Late 19th Century Shaker Music." Daniel W. Patterson.
Volume XVIII, Number 3 (Fall 1990): "Millennial Praises - Tune Location and Authorial Attributions of the First Shaker Hymnal." Daniel W. Patterson.
Shakers World
Quarterly magazine from by K.C. and Alanna Parkinson in Manchester, Connecticut, and no longer published. These are the titles from Roger Hall's music column in each issue:
Volume 1, Number 1 (May 1996): "To Edit or Not to Edit?"
Volume 1, Number 2 (August 1996): "What's Your Favorite Shaker Song"
Volume 1, Number 3 (December 1996): "Singing at Shaker Village Work Camp"
Volume 1, Number 4 (February 19977): "Collecting Shaker Spirituals"
Volume 2, Number 1 (June/July 1997): "The Simple Gifts of Elder Joseph
and
Sister Mildred"
Sing Out! Magazine
In the Summer 1998 issue (Vol. 43/ No. 1) is an article titled:
"The Simple Gifts of Shaker Music" by Roger Hall
This article includes a history of Shaker music.
Also included are words and music of two Shaker spirituals: "Let Zion Move" (Mary Ann Gillespie, Alfred, Maine) and "Ode to Contentment" (Tune: Issachar Bates/ Text: Richard Pelham, North Union, Ohio). Along with the article are many illustrations and a list of music sources, including CDs.
The Sonneck Society Bulletin for American Music
Volume XVI, Number 3 (Fall 1990): "Aaron Copland's 'Simple Gifts'." Roger L. Hall.
Volume XXIII, Number 3 (Fall 1997): "Joseph Brackett's 'Simple Gifts." Roger L. Hall.
Newspaper Articles
Maine: Gray-New Gloucester Independent , February 15, 2008:
"Joseph Brackett's Simple Gifts" by Roger Hall
Background about the dance song and the Shaker religious leader
who wrote it with a few illustrations.
Michigan: Detroit Free Press , November 11, 1998:
"150 Years of 'Simple Gifts'" by David Crumm
This article was about the uses of the Shaker song from its original melody to an arrangement in a TV commercial for the Oldsmobile Aurora car.
Related Links
American Music Recordings Collection -- recordings of Shaker singing and interviews.
CD Releases -- list of original and arranged Shaker tunes.
Communal Studies Association -- links for additional research information.
Joseph Brackett's 'Simple Gifts' -- about the best known Shaker song.
Sabbathday Lake, Maine -- the last remaining active Shaker community.
Shaker Music History -- highlights from 1781 to 2001.
Shaker Music Lectures and Workshops -- programs about Shaker music & dance.
Shaker Music Today -- about the Shakers in New Hampshire and Maine.
Society for Earlier American Music [SEAM] -- recordings which include Shaker music.
Wikipedia -- article about "Simple Gifts."
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