25 November 2010

Happy Thanksgiving


The beautiful Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts" as used in Aaron Copeland's "Appalachian Spring".



'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
Will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend, we shan't be ashamed,
To turn, turn, will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'Tis gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
Will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend, we shan't be ashamed,
To turn, turn, will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right
Till by turning, turning we come round right

2 comments:

Finding Pam said...

Jamie, just a lovely song and photos are great.

Hope you had a great day.

Mimi Lenox said...

I love this piece. It brings back memories of the joyful rendition by Yo-Yo Ma at Obama's Inauguration.
Wasn't it glorious?

I wish the glory remained.