Simple Gifts: From Shaker Hymn to Modern Classic
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The melody and lyrics of "Simple Gifts" embody a deep sense of tranquil simplicity and enduring faith. This hymn, originally penned in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett, a member of the Shaker community in Alfred, Maine, has transcended its humble origins to become a globally recognized folk tune, notably through its incorporation into Aaron Copland's quintessential American ballet, Appalachian Spring, and its modern revival in the Irish-American dance spectacular, Lord of the Dance.
Simple Gifts: The Shaker Origin
The Shakers, formally known as the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, were a communal, celibate, and pacifist Christian sect that flourished in the 19th-century United States. Their theology emphasized simplicity, utility, and honesty, principles that were deeply reflected in their daily lives, architecture, furniture, and, critically, their worship. Shaker worship, which included ecstatic dancing and singing, was a central part of their spiritual practice (Stein, 1992).
"Simple Gifts" was not initially a sung hymn but a "quick dance," a form of Shaker worship involving movement and sometimes a spoken verse. Joseph Brackett's text is simple yet profound, perfectly capturing the core Shaker values of letting go of worldly burdens and finding joy in spiritual grace:'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.
Musicologists have long debated whether Brackett also composed the melody, or if it was a pre-existing folk tune he adapted. However, the first known transcription in the Shaker community explicitly attributes both the words and the tune to Brackett (Patterson, 1994). The Shaker context of "Simple Gifts" is key to its meaning; the "gift" is not a physical possession but the spiritual state of living simply and devotedly, which they believed led to inner freedom. (The Center for American Music Preservation, 2016, Shaker Museum, 2023)
Aaron Copland and Appalachian Spring
The hymn's path to international fame began in 1944 when the renowned American composer Aaron Copland was commissioned to write a score for a new ballet choreographed by Martha Graham. The work, originally titled Ballet for Martha, premiered as Appalachian Spring and is considered one of Copland's most enduring achievements, embodying a spirit of American optimism and frontier life.
Copland integrated "Simple Gifts" into the seventh section of the ballet, where the melody is presented in a series of five variations. Copland's use of the tune, which he believed was an authentic, centuries-old folk melody, transformed it into an emblem of American musical nationalism. By setting it for a full orchestra and treating it with his signature open, expansive harmonies, Copland imbued the simple Shaker tune with a sense of grandeur and timelessness. It is this orchestral setting that introduced "Simple Gifts" to a vast public audience far removed from the Shaker villages of New England. (Perlis, 2022)
Modern Revival: Lord of the Dance
Decades later, "Simple Gifts" found renewed popularity through its prominent feature in the Celtic-inspired theatrical show, Lord of the Dance. Created and choreographed by Michael Flatley, the show premiered in 1996 and uses a distinctive musical score by Ronan Hardiman, heavily influenced by traditional Irish music.
Hardiman's arrangement, often simply titled "Simple Gifts," typically presents the melody in a more brisk, driving rhythm, underscoring the powerful and kinetic energy of the Irish dance ensemble. The contrast between the Shaker's restrained, spiritual "quick dance" and the high-energy spectacle of Lord of the Dance is stark. Yet, the melody's inherent adaptability allows it to transcend cultural and genre boundaries. In this modern context, the tune contributes an element of uplifting, universally accessible joy that resonates with the show’s themes of cultural pride and communal celebration.
However, a lesser-known but significant influence on Michael Flatley's use of the tune came from English songwriter Sydney Carter’s 1960 folk carol, "Lord of the Dance," which uses the "Simple Gifts" melody. Carter’s lyrics reinterpret the Shaker tune as a first-person narrative of Jesus Christ, metaphorically dancing through his life, death, and resurrection. Flatley’s theatrical show takes its name and spiritual resonance from Carter's popular adaptation, which had already cemented the "Simple Gifts" melody within a broader, secularized framework of spiritual celebration and movement before Flatley adapted it for the stage. (Hawn, 2026)
Conclusion
"Simple Gifts" stands as a testament to the enduring power of simplicity in art. From a specific religious observance penned by Elder Joseph Brackett, it was elevated to the status of an American musical archetype by Aaron Copland, and finally reinvented as a vibrant global folk anthem through Lord of the Dance. The tune’s legacy is a continuous thread in American and global culture, proving that a truly simple gift can be the most profound.
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Test Your Knowledge
1. The original context of Elder Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts" within the Shaker community was as a:
Sung hymn for Sunday services.
Quick dance used in worship.
Lullaby for Shaker children.
Solo vocal performance piece.
2. Aaron Copland incorporated "Simple Gifts" into which major work?
Fanfare for the Common Man
Billy the Kid
Rodeo
Appalachian Spring
3. The theatrical show Lord of the Dance took its name and primary musical theme from an adaptation of "Simple Gifts" by which artist?
Ronan Hardiman
Michael Flatley
Sydney Carter
Martha Graham
Glossary of Key Terms
Term / Name | Definition |
Aaron Copland | The renowned American composer who incorporated "Simple Gifts" into his 1944 ballet, Appalachian Spring. His orchestral arrangement elevated the tune to an emblem of American musical nationalism. |
Alfred, Maine | The location of the Shaker community where Elder Joseph Brackett was a member when he penned "Simple Gifts" in 1848. |
Appalachian Spring | A quintessential American ballet choreographed by Martha Graham with a score by Aaron Copland. The work, which premiered in 1944, features a famous set of five variations on the "Simple Gifts" melody in its seventh section. |
Ballet for Martha | The original working title for the ballet that would eventually premiere as Appalachian Spring. |
Elder Joseph Brackett | The member of the Shaker community is credited with writing both the words and the melody for "Simple Gifts" in 1848. |
Lord of the Dance (Folk Carol) | A 1960 folk carol by English songwriter Sydney Carter that uses the melody of "Simple Gifts." Its lyrics reinterpret the tune as a first-person narrative of Jesus Christ, and it served as the inspiration for Michael Flatley's show. |
Lord of the Dance (Theatrical Show) | An Irish-American dance spectacular created and choreographed by Michael Flatley, which premiered in 1996. The show features a brisk, high-energy arrangement of "Simple Gifts" by composer Ronan Hardiman. |
Martha Graham | The choreographer of the ballet Appalachian Spring, for which Aaron Copland composed the score. |
Michael Flatley | The creator and choreographer of the theatrical show Lord of the Dance. |
Quick Dance | The original form of "Simple Gifts" within the Shaker community. It was a form of worship involving movement and sometimes a spoken verse, rather than a sung hymn. |
Ronan Hardiman | The composer who created the musical score for Lord of the Dance, including the distinctive arrangement of "Simple Gifts" used in the show. |
Shakers | Formally known as the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, a 19th-century American Christian sect that was communal, celibate, and pacifist. Their theology emphasized simplicity, utility, and honesty. |
Simple Gifts | A melody and text penned by Joseph Brackett in 1848, originating as a Shaker "quick dance" and later becoming a globally recognized folk tune through various adaptations. |
Sydney Carter | The English songwriter who, in 1960, adapted the "Simple Gifts" melody for his folk carol, "Lord of the Dance." |
Reference list
Brackett, J. (2022). Simple Gifts (Brackett, Joseph) - IMSLP. [online] Imslp.org. Available at: https://imslp.org/wiki/Simple_Gifts_(Brackett%2C_Joseph) [Accessed 7 Jan. 2026].
Hawn, C.M. (2026). History of Hymns: ‘Lord of the Dance’. [online] Discipleship Ministries. Available at: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-lord-of-the-dance [Accessed 7 Jan. 2026].
Patterson, D.W. (2000). The Shaker Spiritual. Courier Dover Publications.
Perlis, V. (2022). Copland since 1943 : Copland, Aaron, 1900-1990 . [online] Internet Archive. Available at: https://archive.org/details/coplandsince19430000copl/page/34/mode/1up [Accessed 7 Jan. 2026].
Shaker Museum (2023). ‘Tis a Gift to Be simple, but Things Aren’t as Simple as They Seem – Shaker Museum. [online] www.shakermuseum.us. Available at: https://www.shakermuseum.us/tis-gift-simple-things-arent-simple-seem.
Stein, S.J. (1994). Shaker Experience in America : History of the United Society of Believers. Yale University Press.
The Center for American Music Preservation (2016). Joseph Brackett’s ‘Simple Gifts’ - Shaker Simplicity in Song. [online] Americanmusicpreservation.com. Available at: https://www.americanmusicpreservation.com/JosephBrackettSimpleGifts.htm [Accessed 7 Jan. 2026].
Wikimedia Commons (2022). File:Blue Ridge Parkway Sunset (43691100).jpeg - Wikimedia Commons. [online] Wikimedia.org. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Ridge_Parkway_Sunset_(43691100).jpeg [Accessed 7 Jan. 2026].
