Level Two Repertory:

Simple Gifts

Composer: anonymous, arr. WDL
Historical style: Appalachian Spiritual

Historical note: A spiritual is a folk song with a religious text. The Appalachian spiritual is musically and culturally synonymous with the Appalachian folk song whose origin was greatly influenced by the musical and cultural traditions of the early Scotch/Irish (Celtic) immigrants who settled in the Appalachian region of the United States in the early 19th century.

The tune, Simple Gifts, is associated with the religious community known as the Shakers. Probably written in 1848, this tune was popularized in the 20th century when it was used as a theme in Aaron Copland's, Appalachian Spring.

Musical terms used in this piece:

mp  (mezzo piano)
f  (forte)
crescendo 'hairpin'
decrescendo 'hairpin'
rit.

Also see: Appalachian Music

Check out these videos of elder members of the Shaker community singing traditional Shaker songs:

Shaker Song1
Shaker Song2
Shaker Song3
Shaker Song4

Check out Practice Suggestions

Listen to soundfile

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