RULES OF ENGAGEMENT —
- You know how this works, but as always, a gentle reminder:
- Pooties are cats; Woozles are dogs. Goggies are dogs, too, and moggies are cats. Birds...are birds! Peeps are people. PWB Peeps are Pooties, Woozle, Birds People.
***
‘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 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.
***
The song “Simple Gifts” is a gift to the world from the “Shaker” religious sect, which was founded in England about 1747 and reached North America in 1780. Most people know of the American Shakers as a celibate group whose simple baskets and furniture embodied an extraordinary aesthetic. As of 2019 only two or three members of the sect remained living.
They were initially known as "Shaking Quakers" because of their ecstatic behavior during worship services. Espousing egalitarian ideals, women took on spiritual leadership roles alongside men, including founding leaders such as Jane Wardley, Mother Ann Lee, and Mother Lucy Wright.
--Wikipedia
“Simple Gifts” dates to about 1848 but was little known before 1944, when composer Aaron Copeland incorporated the tune into Martha Graham’s ballet, "Appalachian Spring." The American folk song renaissance of the 1960s made it widely familiar.
Three very different versions, all delightful IMO—enjoy!
1:31
.
1:21
.
3:29
.