Tis a Gift to be Simple

'Tis a Gift to be Simple

I know this song from Raffi but could not find his recording

It is in fact a Shaker song from 1848 called Simple Gifts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Gifts

There are many renditions


Click Here to Listen to "Tis a Gift to Be Simple"

sung by The Shakers

Click Here for extended version

This version includes photos from Shaker communities

Click Here to Listen to "Simple Gifts"

Sung by Alison Kraus accompanied by Yo Yo Ma


These lyrics remind me of The Sufi's

To turn, turn, will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right
Till by turning, turning we come round right


Simple Gifts lyrics

Its a gift to be simple, Its a gift to be free,
Its 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 will not be ashamed,
To turn, turn, will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right

Its a gift to be simple, Its a gift to be free,
Its a 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 will not 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