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Get the 2nd edition of the most authoritative book
about this popular Shaker song©CopCy© PineTree Musicright
"Simple Gifts" - Great American Folk Song
by Roger Lee Hall
PineTree Press, 2019
The Shaker song known today as "Simple Gifts" has become one of the most popular American religious folk songs.
But you may ask -- what makes it "great"?
Perhaps it is from the words speaking to many about a yearning for a simpler more fulfilling life as in these opening words from the song:
Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be.It may be also the simple appealing tune of the song which can be sung by any age group - from children to adults.
The song has been arranged by numerous folk singers in the past,
like Judy Collins and Bill Crofut, and also arranged by
classical composers. like Aaron Copland and John Williams.The song has been widely sung in schools, colleges, churches, concert halls and elsewhere all across the USA and in other countries as well.
The appeal of it as a Great American Folk Song was demonstrated in arrangements of the Shaker song performed at three different Inaugurations held in Washington. D.C.:
President Ronald Reagan in 1985
President Bill Clinton in 1993
President Barack Obama in 2007The Music Educators National Conference has named "Simple Gifts" as a song that "everyone should know."
Yet, the background on the song and its composer remain a mystery to many people.It is incorrect to call it a "Traditional Shaker hymn."
It was written for what the Shakers called a "quick dance" and sung at a lively tempo in their worship ritual.
You can read the full story in the book written by Roger Lee Hall, a respected ethnomusicologist and the foremost authority on this Shaker song in the 2nd revised edition of his book from PineTree Press.
In addition to the biographical profile of Elder Joseph Brackett, who wrote the Shaker dancing song, you will learn how the original Shaker song was discovered in the 20th century and how it spread.
The author had in-person interviews with two key persons who were responsible for making "Simple Gifts" more widely known:
--Sister R. Mildred Barker (1897-1990) of the Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake, Maine who once lived in the same Shaker community
where Elder Joseph Brackett composed "Simple Gifts." She wrote the first article which identified him as the composer of this Shaker song.--Aaron Copland (1900-1990), the composer who first arranged the "Simple Gifts" tune in his award-winning ballet score, Appalachian Spring (1944),
and also in his vocal version in Old American Songs (1950).Included in the book is a letter received from British songwriter,
Sydney Carter (1915-2004), who based his popular song,
"Lord of the Dance," on the Shaker tune and wrote his own words.At the back of the book are an extensive bibliography and discography with 40 representative recordings of "Simple Gifts."
Chapter Titles:
1. From England to America
2. Songs of the Gospel Parents
3. The Dance Song
4. The Gift Song
5. The Songwriter: Elder Joseph Brackett
6. Two Songs by Elder Joseph: "Simple Gifts" and "The True Vine"
7. Time Line and Chronology
8. A Conversation with Sister R. Mildred Barker
9. Aaron Copland and "Simple Gifts"
10. Sydney Carter's "Lord of the Dance"
11. The Selling of "Simple Gifts"
12. Searching for a Simpler Life
The book is available exclusively here:
Also with two bonus audio files at no extra charge:
+highlight from in-person interview with Aaron Copland
about his arrangements of "Simple Gifts"
+performance of the original Shaker dance song
edited by Roger Hall, sung by a church choir in Ohio
Oder this book as a pdf and help Save A Tree!
You will receive this complete book as a pdf by email attachment and sent anywhere in the world with no postage needed.
This title is available here for the price of only $17.95.
Your order will be processed through Safe and Secure PayPal payable to PineTree Productions,
owner of PineTree Press.Click the button below to order your copy:
Important!
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please send an e-mail and mention the title
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This is an earlier book also available as a pdf sent by email attachment.
For information how to order this book -- click here
Two CDs with the Shaker dance song:
Original version from a Shaker manuscript of "Simple Gifts"
sung by a church choir in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Also, an excerpt of the interview with American composer, Aaron Copland, about his arrangements of the Shaker song,
which took place at his home in 1980:
An arrangement of "Simple Gifts" by Roger Lee Hall, sung by
a community chorus in New Hampshire:
Illustrated Shaker Music Program
Would you like to schedule a program by Roger Lee 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.
To contact him for scheduling and speaker fee, click this link:
To read more about Mr. Hall's Shaker music programs
and publications
click here
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© 2019 (Updated: 2024). PineTree Productions. All Rights Reserved for original material.
Contact: pinetreepress2@aol.com