I'd like to share with you some verses we found for Simple Gifts in an old Shaker hymnal. Most appropriate for this time we are in. Wishing you joy and greater meaning. A simple solo guitar arrangement is on my website, murielanderson...
Simple Gifts, Trad. Quaker hymn (1) ‘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. (2) ‘Tis the gift to be gentle Tis the gift to be fair Tis the gift to wake and breathe the morning air To walk every day in the path that we choose Tis the gift we pray we may never, never lose. (3) ‘Tis the gift to be knowing ‘Tis the gift to be kind ‘Tis the gift to wait and hear another’s mind And when we speak our feelings it may come out true ‘Tis a gift for me, and a gift for you. (4) ‘Tis the gift to be knowing ‘Tis the best gift of all, Like a warm, Spring rain bringing beauty when it falls And when we use this gift we may come to believe ‘Tis better to give than it is to receive. Ref: When true simplicity is gained To bow and to bend, we will not be ashamed. To turn, turn, will be our delight Til by turning, turning we turn round right.
Absolutely love these extra lyrics. I have copied them and will add them when I sing this song. Simple gifts is definitely one of the most relevant songs for our times.
Oh, yeah? Those extra lyrics enhance the song which advocates that we embrace nature and be thankful for good health, air in our lungs, and family and friends.
Sooo beautiful! Thank you. Your rendering of this longer version of the song is wonderful as are the visuals and your lovely words about ""hearing somewhere from a cornfield, a solo recorder playing the melody of Simple Gifts..."
Most excellent, ma'am. Very much appreciate your voice, your playing, and especially your spirit You may want to pin at the top the commenter who put up the lyrics. That would help everyone to see and hear these wonderful words. Thank you kindly.
Simple Gifts is a song written by Joseph Brackett of Gorham, Maine. Brackett was a member of the Maine Shakers out of Alfred, Maine and New Gloucester, Maine.
This video popped up in my YT queue very first thing this morning.. Of course I had to click on it!! So lovely...so beautiful.....What a precious way to start my day....Namaste, Muriel Anderson.
Am I the only one to feel want for the entire song, including these lyrics. I cannot be alone with want for the entire beauty of the lyrics of this song. It is truly a blessing to hear the arrangement of these words. ' Tis a blessing.
The earth is the Lord's And the fullness thereof, Its mountains, its streams As well as stars above, Salvation is near When we see the morning's light Then by laughing and singing Things will turn out right. I don't even remember where I heard this, and not sure all the words are correct. At least 50+ years ago.
Simple Gifts, Trad. Shaker hymn (1) ‘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. (2) ‘Tis the gift to be gentle Tis the gift to be fair Tis the gift to wake and breathe the morning air To walk every day in the path that we choose Tis the gift we pray we may never, never lose. (3) ‘Tis the gift to be knowing ‘Tis the gift to be kind ‘Tis the gift to wait and hear another’s mind And when we speak our feelings it may come out true ‘Tis a gift for me, and a gift for you. (4) ‘Tis the gift to be knowing ‘Tis the best gift of all, Like a warm, Spring rain bringing beauty when it falls And when we use this gift we may come to believe ‘Tis better to give than it is to receive. Ref: When true simplicity is gained To bow and to bend, we will not be ashamed. To turn, turn, will be our delight Til by turning, turning we turn round right. (Thank you ChaplanMattsAnders for transcribing.)
There is a verse I saw in a book: Hop up, hop up! Turn around, turn around, Gather love, gather love Gather love all around. There is love flowing round As you turn around--- Reach up, reach down, As you turn around.
Lovely as always, Muriel; a simple arrangement lets the spirit of the song shine through. I learned the extra verses from a songbook that belonged to my great-aunt, but haven't ever heard anyone sing them. Hope you are well! Dawn Archdeacon (Knoxville)
So beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing!! My favorite extra verse is the third one!! to hear another's mind, and to be kind, so great! ❤ this is the first time I've ever seen a guitar like that too! so neat! you play and sing so well!! 👏
Thanks I was under the impression that this was actually a Shaker not a Quaker song ? Great musicians Steel ? I appreciate your clear contribution with the extra lyrics.. please keep in mind that this is a song of Progressive kinetic joy.. and it was designed to speed up in order to challenge the dancers.. have a lot of fun with it..
I absolutely love your guitar I want one it sounds like a modern version of the theorbo, I might get one and compose music on it pared with the cello, what's it called? Great playing btw!!! 😊
This is lovely and thanks so much for the extra verses! I have to ask, what are you playing? Looks like a guitar/harp custom instrument. Very cool!!. Anyhow I play this on the autoharp and sing as well, I'll be added the additional verses now. Thanks! Great job by the way!!
Here are four more verses I wrote myself: The God of Nature, many jewels did bestow Strength, beauty, wisdom, honour, pleasure, but not repose If goodness lead us not, then in our weariness We shall turn to Him to find our rest Turning in the valley of love and delight The sun ruling day and the moon, the night Birth brings a tandem gift of love and pain While death grants all eternal sleep again Some turn to the left, and some turn to the right Some turn to the dark, and some turn to the light Though not for us to choose a life brief or long We can each take a turn to sing our song Spring skies free sweet passions pent Summer's green trees their cool shade lent Autumn leaves fall and hearts are rent Then freezes the winter of our discontent
