Joseph Brackett's Simple Gifts

Joseph Brackett's 'SIMPLE GIFTS'

About the song

The Story of 'SIMPLE GIFTS'

Joseph Brackett Day

Not So Simple Gifts

Links

Portrait of Elder Joseph Brackett Jr., 1797-1882

Source:
The Aletheia:Spirit of Truth
by Aurelia G. Mace.
Farmington, Maine:
Press of the Knowlton & McLeary Co., 1907

About the song

Simple Gifts

'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.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight

'Till by turning, turning we come round right.

These are the lyrics to the best known Shaker song.
Unfortunately there have been so many errors associated with
"Simple Gifts" (aka: 'Tis the gift to be simple) that it is time "we come round right."

First

Observe that the opening lines of the Shaker song are NOT -- "Tis a gift to be simple, tis a gift to be free." Somehow one word has been changed by various singers and arrangers over the years. It should be: "Tis the gift to be simple, tis the gift to be free." To the Shakers, that one word makes a big difference! They are talking about the gift from God, not just any gift.

Second

"Simple Gifts" is usually identified incorrectly, such as a "Traditional Shaker hymn" or as a "work song-hymn" (Thomas Hampson: I Hear America Singing ). Actually, it's neither a hymn nor a work song. It was written as a dance song. Shaker hymns usually have two or more stanzas of text, and Shaker songs have only one stanza. Since "Simple Gifts" has only one stanza, it should be classified as a song.If you look closely at the words, you'll notice the last two lines:

To turn, turn will be our delight
'Till by turning, turning we come round right.

These words are dance instructions. Several Shaker manuscripts identify this tune as
a "Dancing Song" or a "Quick Dance."

Third

The tune for "Simple Gifts" has been compared to the second movement ("Friss") of Bela Bartok's First Rhapsody for violin and orchestra in 1928. Though there are similarities in the opening theme of the Bartok work and the Shaker tune, there are no connections between the two. It is merely a musical coincidence.

The only direct connections are the many arrangements of the song, especially the well known orchestral variations by Aaron Copland, whose arrangements have been performed all over the world. One example of the Copland Simple Gifts arrangement was in 2004 in the 115th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade in California, performed by The Temple City Band. Grand Marshall of this 2004 parade was film composer, John Williams, who has recorded the Copland Simple Gifts Variations with the Boston Pops.

Fourth

Many authors have failed to identify Elder Joseph Brackett Jr. as the composer of "Simple Gifts" and also give the wrong date when it was written. The Shakers have long believed that Elder Joseph wrote the song. Some authors have written he wrote the song in 1875 such as in Eminent Mainers by Arthur Douglas Stover, 2006. That date is incorrect.

Elder Joseph's dance song was written in 1848 at the Shaker community in Alfred, Maine. In an article by Sister R. Mildred Barker in 1967, she mentions Elder Joseph as the composer of this dance song. She had lived her youth at the Shaker community in Alfred, and learned that Elder Joseph's song was written there. There is also evidence in Shaker manuscripts that Elder Joseph wrote "Simple Gifts."

Fifth

Some have claimed that the Shaker song was based on another song, "Lord of the Dance." It was actually the other way round. "Lord of the Dance" was based on the Shaker melody,
with new words written by British songwriter Sydney Carter in 1963. This song has become enormously popular on its known but, like "Simple Gifts," it is often incorrectly identified.

Pass the word along (especially to musicians and authors) that "Simple Gifts" was written by Elder Joseph Brackett and "Lord of the Dance was written by Sydney Carter.

For more information about this famous Shaker song, read Roger Hall's article:

Joseph Brackett's 'Simple Gifts'

If you would like to order a broadside copy of this Shaker dance song,
write to:

Simple Gifts Song

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Illustrated Publication

Now you can read all about this beautiful Shaker song in two different versions: an illustrated eBook on CD-ROM or a printed version as a spiral-bound booklet. It was written by Roger L. Hall, a composer and musicologist and one of the leading authorities on Shaker music. He has researched this song for over twenty-five years.

The monograph includes the evolution of "Simple Gifts" from when it was written to the present day. In addition there are descriptions of how this song was used during the 20th century, including Aaron Copland's vocal arrangement performed at two U.S. Inauguarations: for President Ronald Reagan in 1985, and for President Bill Clinton in 1993. The CD-ROM is playable on any computer with Microsoft Word.

This is an excerpt from the Introduction:

It is remarkable how one simple Shaker tune has gone from total obscurity in the 19th century to become one of the most beloved American religious songs today. Over the past decades, Shaker music has been used in many artistic productions, including those by choreographers Doris Humphrey, Martha Graham, Twyla Tharp, and Tero Saarinen. This is appropriate since dancing was an integral part of Shaker worship. Music also has been of primary importance to the Shakers. Creating songs was as functional to them as building simple furniture.

Included with the CD-ROM are additional audio files, including exclusive interviews
with Sister Mildred Barker (1897-1990) from the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community in Maine;
and with composer Aaron Copland (1900-1990) about his arrangements of "Simple Gifts."

Most of the music was performed by Plymouth Church Choir of Shaker Heights, Ohio,
directed by John D. Herr.

Here is a list of all the audio files included on this CD-ROM (Real Audio):

1. Dance Song: "Come Life, Shaker Life" -- Issachar Bates, 1835
2. Anthem: "Mount Zion" - Issachar Bates, ca. 1815
3. Ballad Hymn: "Rights of Conscience" -- Issachar Bates, ca. 1810
4. Millennial Hymn: "Ode to Contentment"-- R. Pelham/ I. Bates, 1835
5. Song: "While We're Marching" -- North Union, OH, 1847
6. Hymn: "Doxology" -- Oliver C. Hampton, 1856
7. Vision Song: "A Dream" -- Harvey L. Eades, 1860
8. Dance Song: "Simple Gifts" -- Joseph Brackett, 1848
9. Pacifist Hymn: "A Prayer for the Captive"-- Cecilia DeVere, 1862
10. Anthem: "Millennial Praise" -- James G. Russell, 1883
11. Anthem: "Supplication" -- James G. Russell, 1883
12. Humility Song: "Gentle Words"-- Polly M. Rupe, 1867 (arr. Roger Hall)
13. Humility Song: "Love is Little"-- South Union, KY, 1834 (arr. Roger Hall)
14. Radio program, Boston, Massachusetts, 1978 (Guest: Roger Hall)
15. Two Shaker Songs: Co-lo-vin and Verdant Groves
16. Radio program continued (introduction of Simple Gifts medley)
17. Simple Gifts (arranged by Bob Beers)
18. Simple Gifts (arranged by Judy Collins)
19. Simple Gifts (arranged by Aaron Copland)
20. Interview with Aaron Copland, July 1980
21. Interview with Sister Mildred Barker, December 1980
22. Hymn: The Shakers -- Richard McNemar, ca. 1810
23. Interview with Eldress Bertha Lindsay, March 1972
24. Eldress Bertha Lindsay's 90th birthday party (Simple Gifts sung)
25. Song: We Will All Go Home With You -- Canterbury, NH, 1862

Hear the title song by clicking the link in the box using Real Player:

"Simple Gifts" -
Performed by Plymouth Church Choir, Shaker Heights, Ohio

THE STORY OF SIMPLE GIFTS:
Joseph Brackett's Shaker Dance Song (2006)

(book & music tracks on CD-ROM) is available exclusively
from this web site.

To order, go to the

Store

THE STORY OF SIMPLE GIFTS:
Joseph Brackett's Shaker Dance Song (2008)

An abridged printed version of the eBook (without the music tracks)
with all the essential information,
including bibliography and recommended recordings.
The cost is $14.95 (including shipping)

To order the printed version, write to:

Simple Gifts Publication

An arrangement of "Simple Gifts" for voice and piano by Roger Hall
is included in the Music Supplement of this book...

A Guide to Shaker Music - With Music Supplement (6th edition, 2006)

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Joseph Brackett Day

Sponsored by The Tune Lovers Society, each year
there is a birthday commemoration of the Shaker elder who wrote "Simple Gifts."

Elder Joseph Brackett Jr. was born on May 6, 1797 in Cumberland, Maine.
He died on July 4, 1882 in New Gloucester, Maine.

Listeners and musicians are urged to play or perform "Simple Gifts" on that day
to pay tribute to Elder Joseph Brackett's song.

There are many arrangements of this song available,
some good and others not so good (see below).

There are a few recommended recordings listed at CD Releases.

For more information about Joseph Brackett Day,
look under "May 6" in this popular annual directory:

Chase's Calendar of Events

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Not So 'Simple Gifts'

"Simple Gifts" is included in an extensive anthology published by The Library of America, on page 618, under the heading "Spirituals and Anonymous Hymns." While it is correct to list the Shaker song as a "spiritual," there is no credit given to its author, Elder Joseph Brackett.
The title of this anthology is

American Religious Poems

Over the past few decades there have been many arrangements made of "Simple Gifts."

The best vocal arrangements are those by Aaron Copland -- his "Variations on a Shaker Melody" for orchestra, his arrangement for solo voice and piano (or orchestra) in the set of Old American Songs, and also the arrangement for two part chorus by Irving Fine.
These arrangements retain the simplicity of the Shaker song.

A variety of arrangements (vocal and instrumental) can be found at the "Simple Gifts" Group on

YouTube

Unfortunately, over the past few decades, there have been many attempts made to expand
the one verse Shaker song by adding new verses.

None of these attempts have reached the same "simple" eloquence of the original Shaker text
by Elder Joseph Brackett. By adding a more sentimental text, it distorts the original meaning implied by Elder Joseph Brackett when he wrote his song in 1848.

Contrary to today's interpretation by some, Elder Joseph was not speaking about just living a simple life. Instead, he was expressing the"simple gifts" of their faith and their devotion to God.

Several of the failed attempts with added non-Shaker texts are found on CDs featuring
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, under different conductors. Two of these CDs are listed here:

Love Is Spoken Here: Songs of Heart and Home
Craig Jessop and Mack Wilberg, conductors
Added words for "Simple Gifts" by David Warner

Songs From America's Heartland
Jerold Ottley, conductor
Added words for "Simple Gifts" by A. Laurence Lyon

A very good selection of religious music by composers such as Mozart, Pergolesi and J.S. Bach/Gound, and traditional tunes like the deeply moving Afro-American spiritual "Deep River," the lovely Austrian folk tune, "Still, Still, Still" (arranged by Mack Wilberg); and the popular Swedish hymn, "How Great Thou Art."

"Simple Gifts" is, for once, correctly identified as being written by Elder Joseph Brackett Jr. The fine simple arrangement for voice and orchestra was made by Chris Hazell.This is an inspiring collection, beautifully sung by Bryn Terfel, the London Voices, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Barry Wordsworth.

To order this CD, click on this link:

Bryn Terfel - Simple Gifts

Also available is a CD featuring the 5 Browns, a young brother and sister family of pianists...

Among the tracks is one (track 3) featuring an arrangement of "Simple Gifts" and "Going Home" by Professor Jeffrey Shumway at Brigham Young University. But it has some misleading information in its credits.

The composers mentioned are Aaron Copland for "Simple Gifts" and Antonin Dvorak for "Going Home." The composers of these songs should be Elder Joseph Brackett and William Arms Fisher.

Copland arranged Elder Joseph's melody in his Appalachian Spring, while Dvorak composed his Largo theme in his Symphony No. 9 (From the New World), but never composed the song titled "Going Home." Unfortunately, credit wasn't given to the original composers, Joseph Brackett and William Arms Fisher. This is often the case with record labels that fail to search out the correct information.

Jeffrey Shumway's piano arrangement of these two American songs is a good one, with subtle interweaving of both melodies. The remainder of the CD is devoted to classical piano works, some well known and others less familiar.

To order this popular CD, click on this link:

The 5 Browns - No Boundaries

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Related Links

American Shaker Music - related site with additional information.

Boston Camerata's CD: Simple Gifts - Shaker Chants and Spirituals - notes for the CD

CD and DVD Releases - selected list of recordings and DVDs.

PineTree Music - compositions and arrangements of Shaker tunes.

Shaker Music Collections - some with accompanying CDs.

Shaker Music History - highlights from 1781 to 2001.

Shaker Music Lectures and Workshops - programs available for any audience.

Shaker Music Today - about the Shakers in recent times.