Simple Gifts from An Appalachian Spring

Strange! 
Yesterday I was in Ikea, 
Today The Prof is in Sweden 
Go figure.

I listened to this piece of music today and I was surprised to hear it's title as I always though it was the childhood hymn Lord Of The Dance. The hymn was actually written in 1963 by Sydney Carter and the Aaron Copland piece is a version of an American Quaker Hymn not related to dancing.


Lord Of The Dance will be played at my funeral.
I used to sing it as a small child whilst skipping around untidily in a circle in front of my family.
Now they'd call it child abuse

54 comments:

  1. Lovely piece, John. I enjoyed that.

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  2. Beautiful, quite a powerful version.

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  3. This song is beautiful in all of its renditions! It was actually written for the Shaker dance ritual in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett Jr. Thanks for reminding us of its beauty.

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    1. Rwhat is a shaker dance ritual ? Ive never heard that phrase before

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    2. The Shakers were a religious group in the USA. (Google it) There is a restoration of a Shaker settlement in Lexington, KY where they present the songs and dance rituals. The Shakers were know for their "utopian" way of life.

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  4. It's a beautiful version. I think the tunes are so similar they must have originated from the same folk song origin.

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  5. How does a piece of music sound both joyous and sad at the same time. Odd.

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  6. You might request "Lord of the Dance" but instead we'll be listening to "The Birdie Song" by The Tweets.

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    1. I can think of a few songs for you YP

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  7. This is one of my favorites.
    I will have All Creatures Great and Small played at mine. I had it played at my baby Daughter Nicole's funeral.

    cheers, parsnip

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  8. I love Copland's music, it is so beautifully written isn't it.

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    1. To me its a fusion of American and British

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  9. Just beautiful. Hum along stuff.

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  10. My very favorite hymn. Such a beautiful piece.

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    1. I have not heard the original quaker hymn , can someone tell me where i could hear it? Also i thought quaker churches didnt do hymns!

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    2. YouTube--Simple Gifts, Shaker hymn

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    3. Shakers are a different group. A bit off topic, but if interested: http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/shakers/shakers/

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  11. If I were to have a funeral, I've long favored "We'll Meet Again", the Vera Lynn version.

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    1. That would have everyone crying in the aisles

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  12. A lovely piece of music. I am not a student of theology but I seem to remember David danced till his clothes fell off (or something like that)in the Bible. So I say go for it JG!!

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    1. My reply to you is on the bottom below

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  13. Yes, a favorite. So poignant. Always touches me deeply.

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    1. It always reminds me of school services where the pupils would sing lustily without the need of the OVERHEAD PROJECTOR,
      Does anyone remember the hymn lyrics being hand written on the acetate of the overhead projector?

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    2. The overhead projector hadn't been invented when I was at school; we relied on the Gestetner.

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    3. You are my age rachel

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  14. You reminded me of kenny....his clothes fell off too
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkqxagJglaI

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  15. Absolutely one of my favorite Copland pieces !

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  16. A Shaker Hymn - Tis a Gift to Be Simple.....
    Love this!

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  17. Call me a coward, John. I don't know your song or maybe I do. Let sleeping dogs lie - a saying never truer than when encouraged to listen to other people's old favourites. They have that most unfortunate way of attaching themselves to my inner grammophone playing on a loop.

    Still, when attending your funeral I shall chime in, even if one of your legacies to me - the other being Albert - proves an earworm. As long as it doesn't last longer than twenty four hours.

    U

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    1. Say something nice....or at least see something nice....

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  18. I have always loved this John - a kind a simple, gentle music.

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  19. I am having Skyfall......."this is the end "

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  20. Lynn Marie11:08 pm

    '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.

    Attributed to Elder Joseph Brackett of the Alfred Shaker Ministry, June 28, 1848. Alfred, Maine (about 5 miles from where I sit)

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  21. If you ever get to hear it live... do so at all costs. It brings tears to the eyes and light to the soul.

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  22. This is one of my favorite pieces of music.

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  23. The Quakers were called that by non-believers. Quakers had a kind of stylized dance while they sang.

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  24. We sing this hymn in our Unitarian church. It's been a favorite of mine since I was a girl. Wonderful melody and meaningful lyrics.

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  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWTDgc96bg8

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  26. We sing that song at our Friends' Meeting (Quaker)....and we do NOT quake....

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  27. Copland...my favorite composer. His music always makes my spirit soar.

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  28. Beautiful! I am sure when you take all the dogs for a walk you are their Lord of the Dance xo

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  29. Anonymous8:16 am

    thank you for this your broadcast provided bright clear concept..


    หนังการ์ตูน

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