Simple Gifts
A clever combination of the Shaker hymn Simple Gifts with the passacaglia-bass of Pachelbel's Canon. A one-rehearsal wonder! Two-part (mixed) choir in canon, with organ.
'Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free
'Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be
And when we find ourselves in a place just right
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
'Tis a gift to be loving, 'tis a gift to be kind,
'tis a gift to leave our bitterness behind,
And when we find ourselves in a 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.
'Tis a gift to be thankful, 'tis a gift to forgive,
'Tis a gift to find out how we ought to live,
And when we find ourselves in a place just right
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.