 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A major publication
with an extensive amount of music material!
The publication is dedicated in memory of...
Sister Ruth Mildred Barker (1897-1990)
Sabbathday Lake, Maine
© Photograph by Gail Hall, 1983
"GIVE GOOD GIFTS": Shaker Music in the 20th Century (PTME 1035) contains a summary of music research about Shaker music collected and edited by Roger Lee Hall, a Shaker scholar and singer. He is one of the foremost authorities on Shaker music, having studied and performed it for over 40 years. Read about his many research projects and publications -- click here
The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing (better known as the Shakers), originated in the area around Manchester, England and led by Mother Ann Lee, who emigrated to the USA in 1774. Their first settlement was at Niskayuna (later: Watervleit), New York and their first organized Shaker community was in 1787 at New Lebanon, New York. The last remaining Shaker community is located at Sabbathday Lake, Maine.
All the items for this publication are available on an informational DVD, including a music album and concert video clips.
These are several of the Shaker spirituals which Mr. Hall has researched have become popular:
--"Welcome, Welcome Precious Gospel Kindred" - a greeting song by Eldress Rosetta Cummings sung frequently at Friends of the Shakers Annual Meetings at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, and at Shaker Seminars and other events held at various locations. The song has been edited and arranged by Mr. Hall and was performed by The Canterbury Singers on two different CDs:"My Shaker Home" and "Celestial Praises."
[photography courtesy of The Shaker Collection, Hamilton College, Clinton, New York]
--"Give Good Gifts" - a late 19th century Shaker gospel song, formerly thought to be by an unidentifed Shaker composer, but now it has been identified by Mr. Hall as composed by Sister Martha Jane Anderson [shown in picture seated on the far left] in the Eldresses Shop at the Mount Lebanon, NY Shaker community. This song has been featured on National Public Radio and other media outlets.
Here are the words to this Shaker song:Give good gifts one to another,
Peace, joy and comfort gladly bestow,
Harbor no ills 'gainst sister or brother,
Smooth life's journey,
As you onward go.
Broad is the sunshine,
Free as the showers,
So shed an influence,
Blessing to prove,
Give for the noblest of efforts your powers,
Blest and be blest, is the law of love.
It has been recorded by Mitzie Collins, Colleen Liggett and Roger Lee Hall on the AMRC CD, "My Shaker Home"-- click here
--"A Prayer for the Captive" (f.l.: Dark is the cloud that rest over the nation)- a pacifist hymn received in a dream by Sister Cecilia DeVere in 1862 and reportedly sung at all Shaker communities on the ocassion of President Abraham Lincoln's funeral in 1865.
--"Simple Gifts" (f.l.: 'Tis the gift to be simple) - the best known Shaker song, composed by Elder Joseph Brackett Jr. as a "dancing song" at Alfred, Maine in 1848 and made popular by Aaron Copland's arrangement in his ballet score, Appalachian Spring, in 1944.
Contents of the "Give Good Gifts" multimedia disc with files in Microsoft Word and mp3 audio:
- Image gallery -
including 20th century Shakers at Canterbury, New Hampshire and Sabbathday Lake, Maine; Shaker music manuscripts and edited music
- Articles and Papers:
--"Religion in song"
--"Shaker Hymnody: An American Communal Tradition"
--"The Story of Simple Gifts"
--"Singing at Shaker Village Work Camp"
Also two scholarly papers by Mr. Hall:
--"Inside-Outside: Two Kentucky Shaker Songs," presented at the
Communal Studies Association Annual Conference in South Union, Kentucky in 2011
--"Give Good Gifts: The meaning of 'gifts' in two Shaker songs." presented at the
Spring Shaker Forum in Enfield, New Hampshire in 2015.
- Sheet music collection:
1. "A Welcome Song" -- Polly M. Rupe, Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, 1869
2. Hymn: "Typical Dancing" --
text: Richard McNemar/ tune: Polly M. Rupe, Pleasant Hill, 1809
3. Hymn: "Farewell Vain World" -- Samuel Hooser, Pleasant Hill, 1833
4. Song: "I Want to be Living & Free" -- South Union, Kentucky5. 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, White Water, Ohio, 1846
9. Hymn: "On The Birthday of Mother Ann" --
James S. Prescott, North Union, Ohio, 1850
10. Song: "A Dream" -- Harvey L. Eades, Union Village, Ohio
11. Hymn: "Doxology" -- Oliver C. Hampton, Union Village, 1856
12. Song: "My Dear Companions Let's Move On" -- Union Village, 1850s
- Audio and Video examples:
"Willow Tree" - an album of Shaker music arrangements by Esta Blood,
Roger Lee Hall, Marleen Montgomery, Ruth Morriss and others.
Concert videos of Shaker spirituals arranged by Roger Lee Hall
and performed by The Canterbury Singers, Kathryn Southworth, Director:
"Celestial Praises"
"Simple Gifts"
"May I Softly Walk"
"My Shaker Home"
"We Will All Go Home With You"
All five Shaker spirituals are also available on a CD
with many Premiere Recordings:
Celestial Praises - A Celebration of Shaker Spirituals
.jpg)
"Give Good Gifts"
Shaker Music in the 20th CenturyThis DVD for computer
contains the illustrated lyrics book,
picture gallery, sheet music collection,
two music albums and six video clipsAll this materials for one low price!
Click the "Add to Cart" button below for $24.95
by credit card through safe and secure PayPal and
payable to PineTree Productions (U.S.A. orders only)
Extra charge for Overseas Air Mail shipping -- click here
After you have made your payment
send an email and mention this DVD title
along with your current mailing address to this link,
For any questions, write to:
Roger Lee Hall has presented several illustrated music lectures
focused on Shaker music performed and recorded in the 20th century
at Canterbury Shaker Village, Sabbathday Lake and other locations.
For a list of his music lectures and workshops -- click here
Another informational computer disc is available
about the best known Shaker song, with music examples and video clips,
A letter dated October 19, 2015:
"Thanks so much for the donation of your reproductions of Shaker music for the Center for Communal Studies. I had an opportunity to show them ("Give Good Gifts" and "Simple Gifts" DVDs) to the Center Board when it met. Everyone was so pleased with your thoughtfulness and generosity."
Donald E. Pitzer, Acting Director
Center for Communal Studies
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
© 2015/ Updated: 2021 PineTree Productions. All Rights Reserved.