3 Surprising Facts About ‘Simple Gifts’: The Famous Tune You Definitely Know

Introduction: The Song with a Secret Past

If you’ve ever seen the high-kicking spectacle of Lord of the Dance, you know its powerful, driving theme tune. But what if you learned that the melody's history is far more surprising than you think, stretching from a quiet religious community to the world’s biggest stages?

1. Simple Gifts Wasn't Originally a "Song"—It Was a Dance Tune

"Simple Gifts" was created in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett, a member of the Shakers, a communal, celibate, and pacifist Christian sect whose theology emphasised simplicity in all aspects of life. For the Shakers, this wasn't a typical hymn meant to be sung while sitting still. It was a "quick dance," an active part of their worship service involving movement.

The "gift" mentioned in the lyrics isn't a present, but the spiritual feeling of freedom that they believed came from living a simple, devoted life.

'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. A Famous Composer Turned It into an American Anthem by Mistake

The tune reached global fame thanks to the renowned American composer Aaron Copland. In 1944, he was commissioned to score a new work choreographed by the legendary Martha Graham, originally titled Ballet for Martha. The ballet premiered as Appalachian Spring, and in it, Copland used the "Simple Gifts" melody, presenting it in five different variations. By treating it with his signature open, expansive harmonies, he imbued the simple tune with a sense of grandeur that became a symbol of American optimism.

But here's the surprising mistake: Copland believed he was using an authentic, centuries-old folk melody. He had no idea it was a relatively recent tune created by the Shaker community in 1848.

3. Its Use in Lord of the Dance Was Inspired by a Different Song

"Simple Gifts" found new life in 1996 through Michael Flatley's Irish dance phenomenon, Lord of the Dance. The show's composer, Ronan Hardiman, gave the melody a "brisk, driving rhythm" that perfectly matched the explosive, high-energy dancing on stage. The contrast between the Shakers' restrained, spiritual "quick dance" and the high-energy spectacle of Flatley's show is stark, highlighting the melody's incredible adaptability.

But the most surprising twist is this: Michael Flatley's show took its name and inspiration from a 1960s English folk carol by songwriter Sydney Carter, which was also titled "Lord of the Dance." Carter’s powerful song had already set new lyrics to the "Simple Gifts" melody, reinterpreting it as a first-person narrative of Jesus Christ, metaphorically dancing through his life, death, and resurrection. This connection gave Flatley’s show its potent name and spiritual resonance long before he adapted the tune for his global stage show.

Conclusion: A Simple Tune's Incredible Journey

From a humble Shaker dance to an iconic piece of American classical music and finally a global Irish dance anthem, this simple tune has had an incredible journey. It proves how a simple melody can travel through time and culture, taking on new meanings without ever losing its power. What other songs do we know that might have a secret history just like this one?