Simple Gifts
Encyclopedia
"Simple Gifts" is a Shaker song written and composed in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett
.
It has endured many inaccurate descriptions. Though often classified as an anonymous Shaker hymn
or as a work song
, it is better classified as a dance song.
. These are the lyrics to his one-verse song:
Several Shaker manuscripts indicate that this is a "Dancing Song" or a "Quick Dance." "Turning" is a common theme in Christian theology, but the references to "turning" in the last two lines have also been identified as dance instructions.
(1797–1882) who first joined the Shakers at Gorham, Maine
, when his father's farm helped to form the nucleus of a new Shaker settlement.
A manuscript of Mary Hazzard of the New Lebanon, New York
, Shaker community records this original version of the melody:
The song quite closely resembles several repetitions of the opening measures of William Byrd
's renaissance composition, "The Barley Break', which Byrd intended to imitate country children playing a folk game. Similarly, Brackett is claimed to have come up with the song as an imitation of what folk music sounds like.
's score for Martha Graham
's ballet Appalachian Spring
, first performed in 1944. Copland used "Simple Gifts" a second time in 1950 in his first set of Old American Songs
for voice and piano, which was later orchestrated. Many people thought that the tune of "Simple Gifts" was a traditional Celtic one but both the music and original lyrics are actually the compositions of Brackett.
"Simple Gifts" has been adapted or arranged many times by folksingers and composers. Probably the best known example is by English songwriter Sydney Carter
, who adapted the Shaker tune for his song "Lord of the Dance
", first published in 1963. The Carter lyrics were adapted, in ignorance of the actual origins, without authorization or acknowledgments by Ronan Hardiman
for Michael Flatley's
dance musical Lord of the Dance
, which opened in 1996. The melody is used at various points throughout the show, including the piece titled "Lord of the Dance." Other adaptations of the lyrics by Carter have occurred in the widespread belief that they are traditional, and in the public domain
.
Because the melody spans a modest range, it is ideally suited to instruments that have a limited pitch range, such as the Native American Flute
.
The rock band Weezer
has shown repeated interest in the hymn, both on their second album Pinkerton
as the introduction to the song "Across The Sea", and in a song off their sixth studio album (aka "The Red Album") titled "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)", on which it can be clearly heard in the piano intro and the repeated chorus of the song.
The British punk band, The Toy Dolls, adapted the hymn in their song "My Girlfriend's Dad's a Vicar", from studio albums "A Far Out Disc" (1985) and the compilation album "Ten Years Of Toys" (1989).
John P. Zdechlik used "Simple Gifts" in "Chorale and Shaker Dance
," a 1972 composition for concert band. In 2004, Robert Steadman
arranged the tune for orchestra
featuring an off-stage trumpet
and a thumping, dance-music influenced finale. Frank Ticheli also wrote a version of "Simple Gifts", presented in Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs.
In their Grammy-winning CD Simple Gifts, the King's Singers
perform an a cappella
version of "Gift to be Simple."
John Williams
' Air and Simple Gifts
was premiered at U.S. President Obama's inauguration on January 21, 2009. It was performed by Yo-yo Ma (cello), Itzhak Perlman (violin), Anthony McGill (Clarinet) and Gabriela Montero (piano). It was a classical quartet based on the original Simple Gifts.
A stirring a cappella arrangement of "Simple Gifts" is included on Minneapolis choir Cantus' 2011 album That Eternal Day.
-
In the movie A Time for Dancing
a version of Simple Gifts is played as the opening song. It is sung by Anastasia Breeze, the "Simple Gift" choir and Tata Vega
.
The TV series Little House on the Prairie
had the Ingalls
family singing this song.
The then 10 year old Jodie Foster
sang this song in the 1973 aired episode "Alethea" of Kung Fu
.
The tune was incorporated into Air and Simple Gifts
arranged by John Williams
for the 2009 inauguration of United States President
Barack Obama
.
Of the recording by guitarist Christopher Parkening
, the liner note states: "I know of no other place in the classic guitar repertoire where a [bass] string is tuned down 'in flight.'"
"Simple Gifts" in such pieces as "Chorale and Shaker Dance" and the Appalachian Spring have been popular music repertoire for drum corps and marching bands. Among them are 1987 Garfield Cadets, 1992 Blue Knights and 2009 Santa Clara Vanguard. The Appalachian State University
marching band also performs a rendition of "Simple Gifts" as part of a pre-game tradition, prior to football games. The West Virginia University Mountaineer Marching Band
, known as the Pride of West Virginia, has performed an arrangement of the song during Mountaineer football
games since 1973.
"Simple Gifts" is the corp song for Revolution Drum & Bugle Corps
"Simple Gifts" was sung by the cast of Shining Time Station
, along with guest actress Rachel Miner, in the 1990 Christmas Special 'Tis a Gift.
"Simple Gifts" was used as the theme song for the syndicated newsmagazine American Journal
, originally starting as a majestic arrangement in early seasons and promos, and then upgrading to a rock format in later seasons and promos.
In 2009, electronic artist Scooter
, sampled the tune in their single, "The Sound Above My Hair
".
On the November 23, 2009 edition of Monday Night Raw, "Simple Gifts" was used as the entrance theme for a team of "Pilgrims" composed of Jillian Hall
, Layla El
and Michelle McCool
for a "Mayflower Melee" Match.
On January 12, 2011 "Simple Gifts," in an arrangement by Grant Cochran, was sung at the Memorial for the victims of the 2011 Tucson shooting
at the McKale Center
at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
And an additional alternative:
Another alternate verse:
Joseph Brackett
Joseph Brackett Jr. , an American songwriter and Elder of The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing , was born in Cumberland, Maine, and died in the Shaker community of Sabbathday Lake at New Gloucester, Maine.Brackett is known as the author of the Shaker dancing song "Simple...
.
It has endured many inaccurate descriptions. Though often classified as an anonymous Shaker hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
or as a work song
Work song
A work song is a piece of music closely connected to a specific form of work, either sung while conducting a task or a song linked to a task or trade which might be a connected narrative, description, or protest song....
, it is better classified as a dance song.
Lyrics
"Simple Gifts" was written by Elder Joseph while he was at the Shaker community in Alfred, MaineAlfred, Maine
Alfred is a town in York County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,497. Alfred is the county seat of York County and home to part of the Massabesic Experimental Forest...
. These are the lyrics to his one-verse song:
-
- '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.
- When true simplicity is gain'd,
- To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
- To turn, turn will be our delight,
- Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.
Several Shaker manuscripts indicate that this is a "Dancing Song" or a "Quick Dance." "Turning" is a common theme in Christian theology, but the references to "turning" in the last two lines have also been identified as dance instructions.
Tune
The tune was written by Joseph BrackettJoseph Brackett
Joseph Brackett Jr. , an American songwriter and Elder of The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing , was born in Cumberland, Maine, and died in the Shaker community of Sabbathday Lake at New Gloucester, Maine.Brackett is known as the author of the Shaker dancing song "Simple...
(1797–1882) who first joined the Shakers at Gorham, Maine
Gorham, Maine
Gorham is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 16,381 at the 2010 census. In addition to an urban village center known as Gorham Village or simply "the Village," the town also encompasses a number of smaller, unincorporated villages and hamlets with distinct...
, when his father's farm helped to form the nucleus of a new Shaker settlement.
A manuscript of Mary Hazzard of the New Lebanon, New York
New Lebanon, New York
New Lebanon is a town in Columbia County, New York, U.S., southeast of Albany. In 1910, 1,378 people lived in New Lebanon, New York. The population was 2,454 at the 2000 census.The town of New Lebanon is in the northeast part of Columbia County...
, Shaker community records this original version of the melody:
The song quite closely resembles several repetitions of the opening measures of William Byrd
William Byrd
William Byrd was an English composer of the Renaissance. He wrote in many of the forms current in England at the time, including various types of sacred and secular polyphony, keyboard and consort music.-Provenance:Knowledge of Byrd's biography expanded in the late 20th century, thanks largely...
's renaissance composition, "The Barley Break', which Byrd intended to imitate country children playing a folk game. Similarly, Brackett is claimed to have come up with the song as an imitation of what folk music sounds like.
Modern arrangements
The song was largely unknown outside of Shaker communities until it became world famous thanks to its use in Aaron CoplandAaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers"...
's score for Martha Graham
Martha Graham
Martha Graham was an American modern dancer and choreographer whose influence on dance has been compared with the influence Picasso had on modern visual arts, Stravinsky had on music, or Frank Lloyd Wright had on architecture.She danced and choreographed for over seventy years...
's ballet Appalachian Spring
Appalachian Spring
Appalachian Spring is a modern score composed by Aaron Copland that premiered in 1944 and has achieved widespread and enduring popularity as an orchestral suite...
, first performed in 1944. Copland used "Simple Gifts" a second time in 1950 in his first set of Old American Songs
Old American Songs
Old American Songs are two sets of songs arranged by Aaron Copland in 1950 and 1952 respectively. Originally scored for voice and piano, they were reworked for baritone and orchestra....
for voice and piano, which was later orchestrated. Many people thought that the tune of "Simple Gifts" was a traditional Celtic one but both the music and original lyrics are actually the compositions of Brackett.
"Simple Gifts" has been adapted or arranged many times by folksingers and composers. Probably the best known example is by English songwriter Sydney Carter
Sydney Carter
Sydney Bertram Carter was an English poet, songwriter, folk musician, born in Camden Town, London. He is best known for the song "Lord of the Dance" , set to the tune of the American Shaker song "Simple Gifts", and the song "The Crow on the Cradle", adapted from an old folk song...
, who adapted the Shaker tune for his song "Lord of the Dance
Lord of the Dance (hymn)
Lord of the Dance is a hymn with words written by English songwriter Sydney Carter in 1967. He adapted the tune from the American Shaker song "Simple Gifts"...
", first published in 1963. The Carter lyrics were adapted, in ignorance of the actual origins, without authorization or acknowledgments by Ronan Hardiman
Ronan Hardiman
Ronan Hardiman is an Irish composer, famous for his soundtracks to Michael Flatley's dance shows Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames and Celtic Tiger Live.-Biography:...
for Michael Flatley's
Michael Flatley
Michael Ryan Flatley is an American Irish dancer, choreographer, actor, musician and occasional television presenter. He became internationally known for Irish dance shows Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger...
dance musical Lord of the Dance
Lord of the Dance (musical)
Lord of the Dance is an Irish musical and dance production that was created, choreographed, and produced by Irish-American dancer Michael Flatley, who also took a starring role...
, which opened in 1996. The melody is used at various points throughout the show, including the piece titled "Lord of the Dance." Other adaptations of the lyrics by Carter have occurred in the widespread belief that they are traditional, and in the public domain
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
.
Because the melody spans a modest range, it is ideally suited to instruments that have a limited pitch range, such as the Native American Flute
Native American flute
The Native American flute has achieved some measure of fame for its distinctive sound, used in a variety of New Age and world music recordings. The instrument was originally very personal; its music was played without accompaniment in courtship, healing, meditation, and spiritual rituals. Now it...
.
The rock band Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
has shown repeated interest in the hymn, both on their second album Pinkerton
Pinkerton (album)
Pinkerton is the second studio album by American alternative rock band Weezer, released on September 24, 1996. After finishing tours in promotion of their 1994 album Weezer, the band originally planned to record a space-themed rock opera entitled Songs from the Black Hole...
as the introduction to the song "Across The Sea", and in a song off their sixth studio album (aka "The Red Album") titled "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)", on which it can be clearly heard in the piano intro and the repeated chorus of the song.
The British punk band, The Toy Dolls, adapted the hymn in their song "My Girlfriend's Dad's a Vicar", from studio albums "A Far Out Disc" (1985) and the compilation album "Ten Years Of Toys" (1989).
John P. Zdechlik used "Simple Gifts" in "Chorale and Shaker Dance
Chorale and Shaker Dance
Chorale and Shaker Dance is a piece of music for wind band composed by John Zdechlik. It is a popular part of the band literature, and frequently performed by student ensembles....
," a 1972 composition for concert band. In 2004, Robert Steadman
Robert Steadman
Robert Steadman is a British composerof classical music who mostly works in a post-minimalist style but also writes lighter music, including musicals, and compositions for educational purposes...
arranged the tune for orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
featuring an off-stage trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
and a thumping, dance-music influenced finale. Frank Ticheli also wrote a version of "Simple Gifts", presented in Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs.
In their Grammy-winning CD Simple Gifts, the King's Singers
King's Singers
The King's Singers is a British a cappella vocal ensemble who celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2008. Their name recalls King's College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed by six choral scholars in 1968. In the United Kingdom, their popularity peaked in the 1970s and early 1980s...
perform an a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
version of "Gift to be Simple."
John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
' Air and Simple Gifts
Air and Simple Gifts
Air and Simple Gifts is a classical quartet composed and arranged by American composer John Williams for the January 20, 2009, inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States...
was premiered at U.S. President Obama's inauguration on January 21, 2009. It was performed by Yo-yo Ma (cello), Itzhak Perlman (violin), Anthony McGill (Clarinet) and Gabriela Montero (piano). It was a classical quartet based on the original Simple Gifts.
A stirring a cappella arrangement of "Simple Gifts" is included on Minneapolis choir Cantus' 2011 album That Eternal Day.
-
In popular culture
For many years, a portion of this tune was used as the opening theme for the television documentary series, "CBS Reports."In the movie A Time for Dancing
A Time for Dancing
A Time for Dancing is a 2000 American drama film starring Larisa Oleynik and Shiri Appleby, and directed by Peter Gilbert. The movie is an adaptation based on the novel of the same title by Davida Wills Hurwin....
a version of Simple Gifts is played as the opening song. It is sung by Anastasia Breeze, the "Simple Gift" choir and Tata Vega
Tata Vega
Táta Vega is an American vocalist whose career spans theater, film, and a variety of musical genres.-Early life:...
.
The TV series Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie (TV series)
Little House on the Prairie is an American Western drama television series, starring Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert, about a family living on a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, in the 1870s and 1880s. The show was an adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's best-selling series of Little House books...
had the Ingalls
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was an American author who wrote the Little House series of books based on her childhood in a pioneer family...
family singing this song.
The then 10 year old Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster
Alicia Christian "Jodie" Foster is an American actress, film director, producer as well as a former child actress....
sang this song in the 1973 aired episode "Alethea" of Kung Fu
Kung Fu (TV series)
Kung Fu is an American television series that starred David Carradine. It was created by Ed Spielman, directed and produced by Jerry Thorpe, and developed by Herman Miller, who was also a writer for, and co-producer of, the series...
.
The tune was incorporated into Air and Simple Gifts
Air and Simple Gifts
Air and Simple Gifts is a classical quartet composed and arranged by American composer John Williams for the January 20, 2009, inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States...
arranged by John Williams
John Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
for the 2009 inauguration of United States President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
Of the recording by guitarist Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening
Christopher Parkening is an American classical guitarist.Parkening was born in Los Angeles, California, and pursued music in part because of his cousin Jack Marshall, a studio musician in the 1960s. Marshall first introduced Parkening to the recordings of Andrés Segovia when he was 11, and...
, the liner note states: "I know of no other place in the classic guitar repertoire where a [bass] string is tuned down 'in flight.'"
"Simple Gifts" in such pieces as "Chorale and Shaker Dance" and the Appalachian Spring have been popular music repertoire for drum corps and marching bands. Among them are 1987 Garfield Cadets, 1992 Blue Knights and 2009 Santa Clara Vanguard. The Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University is a comprehensive , public, coeducational university located in Boone, North Carolina, United States. Appalachian State, also referred to as Appalachian, App State, or simply App, is the sixth largest institution in the University of North Carolina system...
marching band also performs a rendition of "Simple Gifts" as part of a pre-game tradition, prior to football games. The West Virginia University Mountaineer Marching Band
West Virginia University Mountaineer Marching Band
The Mountaineer Marching Band, known as The Pride of West Virginia, is the official marching band of West Virginia University located in Morgantown, West Virginia. The band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy by the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 1997.-History:The band was formed in 1901...
, known as the Pride of West Virginia, has performed an arrangement of the song during Mountaineer football
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
games since 1973.
"Simple Gifts" is the corp song for Revolution Drum & Bugle Corps
"Simple Gifts" was sung by the cast of Shining Time Station
Shining Time Station
Shining Time Station is an American children's television series co-created by Britt Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow. The series was produced by The Britt Allcroft Company and Quality Family Entertainment in New York for New York City PBS Station WNET, and was filmed first in New York and then in Toronto...
, along with guest actress Rachel Miner, in the 1990 Christmas Special 'Tis a Gift.
"Simple Gifts" was used as the theme song for the syndicated newsmagazine American Journal
American Journal
American Journal was a syndicated television newsmagazine program that ran from 1993 to 1998. The series was distributed by King World Productions...
, originally starting as a majestic arrangement in early seasons and promos, and then upgrading to a rock format in later seasons and promos.
In 2009, electronic artist Scooter
Scooter (band)
Scooter are a German hard dance band founded in Hamburg, who have sold over 25 million records and earned over 80 gold and platinum awards. Scooter are considered the most successful single-record German act with 23 top ten hits. The band is currently composed of members H.P. Baxxter, Rick J....
, sampled the tune in their single, "The Sound Above My Hair
The Sound Above My Hair
"The Sound Above My Hair" is the third single release from the Scooter album Under the Radar Over the Top, following "J'adore Hardcore" and "Ti Sento". "The Sound Above My Hair" was first performed live at The Dome 52. The track used in the single was taken from a sample of "Wonderful Life" by the...
".
On the November 23, 2009 edition of Monday Night Raw, "Simple Gifts" was used as the entrance theme for a team of "Pilgrims" composed of Jillian Hall
Jillian Hall
Jillian Faye Fletcher is an American professional wrestler who is currently signed to Women Superstars Uncensored. She is also known for her tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Jillian Hall or simply Jillian...
, Layla El
Layla El
Layla El is an English dancer, model and professional wrestler of Moroccan and Spanish descent. She is employed by WWE as a WWE Diva and appears on the SmackDown brand as Layla...
and Michelle McCool
Michelle McCool
Michelle Leigh McCool , is a retired American professional wrestler who is best known for her time in WWE.McCool originally worked as a middle school teacher in Palatka, Florida. She joined WWE in 2004 after participating in the 2004 WWE Diva Search. In her initial on-screen role, she acted...
for a "Mayflower Melee" Match.
On January 12, 2011 "Simple Gifts," in an arrangement by Grant Cochran, was sung at the Memorial for the victims of the 2011 Tucson shooting
2011 Tucson shooting
On January 8, 2011, a mass shooting occurred near Tucson, Arizona. Nineteen people were shot, six of them fatally, with one other person injured at the scene during an open meeting that U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was holding with members of her constituency in a Casas Adobes Safeway...
at the McKale Center
McKale Center
McKale Memorial Center is an athletic arena located at 1756 E University Blvd on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. It is primarily used for basketball, but also features state-of-the-art physical training and therapy facilities. Its construction is marked with a large...
at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
Additional verses
Two additional, later non-Shaker verses exist for the song, as follows:-
- 'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
- 'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
- And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
- Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
- (refrain)
- 'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
- 'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
- And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
- Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.
And an additional alternative:
-
- The Earth is our mother and the fullness thereof,
- Her streets, her slums, as well as stars above.
- Salvation is here where we laugh, where we cry,
- Where we seek and love, where we live and die.
-
- When true liberty is found,
- By fear and by hate we will no more be bound.
- In love and in light we will find our new birth
- And in peace and freedom, redeem the Earth.
Another alternate verse:
-
- 'tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be fair
- 'tis a gift to wake and breathe the morning air
- and each day we walk on the path that we choose
- 'tis a gift we pray we never shall lose
Further reading
- Edward Deming Andrews (1940), The Gift to be Simple - Songs, Dances and Rituals of the American Shakers, J.J. Augustin. Republished by Dover Publications in 1962 and 1967.
- Roger L. Hall (2006/revised edition, 2010), The Story of 'Simple Gifts' - Joseph Brackett's Shaker Dance Song, PineTree Press.
- Roger L. Hall (2006), A Guide to Shaker Music - With Music Supplement, 6th edition, PineTree Press.
- Daniel W. Patterson (1979), The Shaker Spiritual, Princeton University Press. Republished by Dover Publications in 2000. ISBN 0-486-41375-6
External links
- Joseph Brackett's 'Simple Gifts'
- Simple Gifts performed by the King's SingersKing's SingersThe King's Singers is a British a cappella vocal ensemble who celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2008. Their name recalls King's College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed by six choral scholars in 1968. In the United Kingdom, their popularity peaked in the 1970s and early 1980s...
in The Hour of PowerThe Hour of PowerHour of Power is a weekly American Christian television program currently hosted by Sheila Schuller Coleman. It was previously hosted by her brother, Robert A. Schuller, and her father, Robert H. Schuller, who founded the program. It is broadcast from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove,...
(a YouTube video) - Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village
- Simple Gifts sheet music arranged for the Native American FluteNative American fluteThe Native American flute has achieved some measure of fame for its distinctive sound, used in a variety of New Age and world music recordings. The instrument was originally very personal; its music was played without accompaniment in courtship, healing, meditation, and spiritual rituals. Now it...