Happy Thanksgiving

"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 gain'd

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight

'Till by turning, turning we come round right."

"Simple Gifts"
by Elder Joseph Brackett, 1848
Alfred, Maine

Listen.

Have a happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating it.

"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 gain'd

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight

'Till by turning, turning we come round right."

"Simple Gifts"
by Elder Joseph Brackett, 1848
Alfred, Maine

Listen.

Have a happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating it.

Comments

[Smitty]

That's a great Shaker song. If you ever get the chance to visit a Shaker Community, especially one that is still somewhat functioning - do it! I can heartily recommend the Hancock Shaker Village in western Mass., and Plesant Hill in central Kentucky. Both have working shops, and the KY location has a very fine inn and restaurant. They all bear out the truth of this song: being "simple" is an art and a gift.