Order your copy of the most authoritative book
about this popular Shaker song --

©CopC

 

"Simple Gifts" - Great American Folk Song

By Roger Lee Hall

PineTree Press, 3rd edition, 2023

 

Now available in a 3rd edition commemorating

the 175th year of its composition in 1848 for

the popular Shaker song,

"Simple Gifts" (aka: Tis the gift to be simple)

which has become one of the most popular

American religious folk songs.

 

Unlike what many writers who have mistakenly

called it "a hymn" it was originally called a "a dance song"

"Simple Gifts" was originally written for Shaker dancing

and was not classified as a hymn by the 19th century Shakers.

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:

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 (song arr. by Aaron Copland)

President Bill Clinton in 1993 (arr. by Aaron Copland)

President Barack Obama in 2007 (arr. by John William)

The Music Educators National Conference has named

"Simple Gifts" as a song that "everyone should know."

You can read the full story in the ebook by

the foremost authority on this Shaker song.

Roger Hall wrote the first article about the Shaker song in 1980

which is included in this ebook.

In addition to the biographical profile of Elder Joseph Brackett,

who wrote the Shaker song, you will learn how the original

Shaker song was discovered in the 20th century

and how it spread worldwide.

The author had in-person interviews with two key persons who

were responsible for making "Simple Gifts" more widely known:

© picture by Gail Hall, 1983

--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 in 1967 which identified

him as the composer of this Shaker song.

 

© picture by Gail Hall, 1974

--Aaron Copland (1900-1990), who met several Shakers in Ohio

in 1974 as arranged by Roger Hall.

Copland first arranged the

"Simple Gifts" tune in his award-winning ballet score,

Appalachian Spring (1944), and also his vocal version in

Old American Songs (1950).

 

Included in the book is a letter from British songwriter,

Sydney Carter, who based his popular song,

"Lord of the Dance," on the Shaker tune and

wrote his own words.

 

The end of the book contains 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 Brackett 

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      

                                                                              

                   

 

 

 

This ebook is available worldwide exclusively here,

sent by email attchment.

The price is only $17.95.


Your order will be processed through Safe and Secure PayPal

payable to PineTree Productions, owner of PineTree Press.

You will receive the pdf book plus two bonus audio files (MP3)

of "Simple Gifts" original song performed by church choir

and by a soloist from a one act play arranged by Roger Lee Hall.

To order, click the "Add to Cart" below:

 

 

To insure proper delivery,
please send your email address

click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illustrated Shaker Music Program

 

Would you like to schedule Roger Lee Hall to speak
to your group about the "Simple Gifts" song?

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 Shaker community in Maine,
and American classical composer, Aaron Copland.

To contact Mr. Hall for scheduling and speaker fee, click this link:

Music Program

 

To read about Mr. Hall's Shaker music activities
and publications --

click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

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© 2014 (Updated: 2024). PineTree Productions. All Rights Reserved for original material.
Contact: pinetreepro@aol.com