Simple Gifts

DESCRIPTION: "'Tis the gift to be simple, 'Tis the gift to be free, 'Tis the gift to come down Where we ought to be...." In praise of "simplicity" and love, which bring the hope of heaven
AUTHOR: unknown (a citation in Andrews says it was "composed by the Andrews Ministry June 28, 1848; Goodwille and Messerli-ListenToTheMockingbird cite a widespread attribution to Elder Josecph Brackett of the Maine Ministry, also in 1848)
EARLIEST DATE: 1848?
KEYWORDS: religious nonballad
FOUND IN: US
REFERENCES (8 citations):
Darling-NewAmericanSongster, pp. 258-259, "Simple Gifts" (1 text)
Messerli-ListenToTheMockingbird, pp. 71-72, "Simple Gifts" (1 text)
Salt-BuckeyeHeritage-OhiosHistory, pp. 77-78, "Simple Gifts" (1 text, 1 tune, which I suspect includes non-traditional verses)
Averill-CampSongsFolkSongs, p. 545, "Simple Gifts" (notes only)
OneTuneMore, p. 60, "Simple Gifts" (1 text, 1 tune)
DT, SIMPLEGF*
ADDITIONAL: Edward Deming Andrews, _The Gift to be Simple: Songs, Dances and Rituals of the American Shakers_, 1940 (references are to the 1962 Dover reprint), p. 136, "Simple Gifts" (1 text, 1 tune)
Christian Goodwille, compiler and editor, with contributions from Joel Cohen, _Shaker Songs: A Celebration of Peace, Harmony, and Simplicity_, Black Dog & Leaventhal Publishers, 2002, pp. 82-83, "Simple Gifts" (1 text, 1 tune, plus an illustration of a manuscript copy titled "Quick Dance")
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "I Will Bow And Be Simple" (theme)
SAME TUNE:
The Lord of the Dance (by Sydney Carter; DT LORDANCE)
NOTES [47 words]: This song has become one of the most popular in the Folk Revival. The idea of a simple life seems very refreshing in today's overcomplicated age. But I wonder how many of the people who have sung the song realize that "simplicity" means, among other things, abstinence from sex? - RBW
Last updated in version 6.3
File: DarN259A

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