Recordings of Simple Gifts

  • I need a list of every artist(or almost every)artist who has recorded the Shaker hymm Simple Gifts.


  • Hi ginny I don't think that you can get a complete list -- this song has been around for 150 years. For at least (conservative estimate) 80 years, there's been technology that would allow it to be recorded. The tune's been used in a car (Oldsmobile) commercial, as a TV theme song ("American Journal"), by Michael Flatley in his 'Lords of the Dance' production, as a hymn, as a song, etc. etc. I could spend hours going site by site and finding you artists and recordings in a wide variety of interpretations, but frankly, and respectfully, I'd need a better monetary incentive. Also, I doubt I could find EVERYone or even ALMOST everyone who has recorded what Randy Folger says "... may be the perfect piece of music." I can provide with you a history of the hymn and SOME of the more notable recordings, but I don't think I could make a dent in what appears to be a very large list. If I knew for what purpose you need such a list, it would help me/us hone in more accurately on the best results for you. Respectfully, revbrenda1st


  • Thanks for the insight. I had actually found a list online but now can't find it again! It wasn't everything . . . I really am just looking for a simple folk version (with words)of it to use in a video piece about pumpkins. Either male or female is ok - but am thinking more about a deep male voice with guitar, etc. Thanks.


  • Hi ginny, According to David Crumm, this song was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Bracket. He reports that " 'Simple Gifts' was a dancing song. The Shakers called it a quick dance," Hall says. "There are words in the song about bowing and bending and turning, and the Shakers actually did that as they sang those words. The song was both an instruction for dancing as well as an instruction for life." 150 Years of "Simple Gifts" http://www.freep.com/fun/music/qshaker11.htm Indeed, according to another website, "It's said that Elder Joseph would sing and dance this song "with his coat tails flying"." The Janus Museum http://janusmuseum.org/ I've looked at dozens of websites and haven't found even a hint of a deep-voiced, guitar playing male who has a recording of this tune. I found some instrumental versions with some guitar work, but nothing with vocals. I did find two baritone recordings. You can listen to them from the above-mentioned site. One is performed with no instrumentals by Joel Frederiksen with members of the Boston Camerata, the Schola Cantorum of Boston, and the Shaker community of Sabbathday Lake, Maine, conducted by Joel Cohen. It's on the CD 'Simple Gifts' and is available from: Amazon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000005EDQ/thejanusmuseum/102-5742217-2876966 The other is sung by William Warfield, baritone, with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Aaron Copland. I can't imagine Elder Joseph's coat tails flying to this version, however. It's on a CD called 'Copland Conducts Copland' and is available from: Amazon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000026GG/thejanusmuseum/102-5742217-2876966 You can hear another version on the Dance on a Moonbeam website, sung by mezzo-soprano, Frederica von Stade. It's not a toe-tapper, either, but pumpkins aren't noted for speed, I guess. :) http://danceonamoonbeam.tripod.com/music.html Ordering information can be found here: http://danceonamoonbeam.tripod.com/buycd.html "Former English National Opera principal, Lesley Garrett has become one of Britain's biggest selling opera singers." From this site you can hear her singing a rather majestic version of 'Simple Gifts.' The site itself is predominantly in Swedish, but it's clear enough for you to download the song. Vitaminic_the music evolution http://stage.vitaminic.se/main/lesley_garrett The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is well-noted for its excellence, and you can hear its rendition of the song here: http://www.telarc.com/gscripts/title.asp?gsku=0579 I hope one of these will meet your needs. I have always loved this tune, but until you asked your question I had no idea of its name or history. Thank you so much. Regards, revbrenda1st


    • December 01st 2008 Posted to munchsmadonna.com edit