Instrumental Duet Flute,Instrumental Duet,Oboe - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.833940

By A. Copland, Judy Collins. By Shaker Hymn Hymn. Arranged by Dennis Ruello. Christmas,Easter,Praise & Worship,Spiritual,Traditional. Score and parts. 4 pages. Chicory Music #440746. Published by Chicory Music (A0.833940).

'Simple Gifts' was a dancing song. The Shakers called it a quick dance. 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. The song was limited to the Shakers until Copland popularized the melody in his 1944 ballet score, Appalachian Spring. In the 1960s, Carter's hymn carried the tune into churches. It wasn't until 1970 that folk singer Judy Collins resurrected the original words of Simple Gifts and performed it nationwide.