The song “Simple Gifts” Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

Joseph Brackett is the composer of the song Simple Gift. He wrote and composed it in 1848 in Maine. Brackett was born in 1797 and died at the age of 85 on the 4th of July 1882. He spent his entire life in Maine where he was actively involved in writing, composing songs, and in religious activities of the Shakers community. His father supported the nuclear unit of Shakers by providing settlement for members of the sect.

His active involvement in the sect led him to be appointed an elder in the community. Brackett is widely known for his songs, particularly Simple Gifts, which are classified as dance songs, work songs, or hymns. The song Simple Gifts was only known within the Shakers community until 1944 when it was first performed at a ballet concert.

The melody was used in Appalachian Springs, a ballet performance by Martha Graham. In 1950, the song was used for the second time in an orchestra performance. Since 1950, the song has been used many times by different composers. They have either rearranged or adapted the song in different ways.

Brackett did not favor specific lyricists, song writers, or composers. He was only affiliated to the Shakers sect. It was through his strong involvement with the sect that he got inspired to write and compose his songs. He wrote dancing songs, the most famous being Simple Gifts.

He is known today because of the song which has been adapted several times. Both the adapted and original versions have an international audience. The most common adapted version is Lord of the Dance, a 1963 publication.

Brackett was active in a social and religious movement. He joined the Shakers sect at the age of 10 with his entire family. His father provided temporary settlement for the first ever nuclear group of the sect. After the death of his father, Brackett continued to rise in ranks, gaining the position of an elder.

He was appointed to lead members of the sect in Maine. By the time he became an elder the nuclear unit of the community had already expanded and occupied other areas within the south.

The song, Simple Gifts, was originally written as a dance song for the Shakers community. The song was performed during special religious events and celebrations. Members of the community used to compose songs and dances for their devotion services. According to the community, one could have several spiritual gifts. Music composition was considered among the spiritual gifts.

They composed and recorded musical inspirations as an exercise of their spiritual gifts. The composers and writers were mainly scribes and elders in the community. They did not have any formal training in music composition. However, they used a notation system called ‘letteral’ that used alphabetical letter with rhythmic notations. The dance songs were significant to the community because they formed part of their culture.

The song, Simple Gifts, has also formed part of popular culture today by being performed in movies, television series, and documentaries. An adopted version of the song was performed at the inauguration ceremony of President Obama in 2009.

Christian religious denominations have also adapted the tune into hymns sang during worship. The only difference is the name given to these hymns. However, the tune is the same. Essentially, the song has been part of larger musical performances.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2019, April 23). The song "Simple Gifts". https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-song-simple-gifts/

Work Cited

"The song "Simple Gifts"." IvyPanda, 23 Apr. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/the-song-simple-gifts/.

References

IvyPanda. (2019) 'The song "Simple Gifts"'. 23 April.

References

IvyPanda. 2019. "The song "Simple Gifts"." April 23, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-song-simple-gifts/.

1. IvyPanda. "The song "Simple Gifts"." April 23, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-song-simple-gifts/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "The song "Simple Gifts"." April 23, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-song-simple-gifts/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

1 / 1