'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

It will 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,

'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,

'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,

And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,

Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

When true simplicity is gained,

To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.

To turn, turn will be our delight,

'Til by turning, turning we come round right

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,

'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",

And when we hear what others really think and really feel,

Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

When true simplicity is gained,

To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.

To turn, turn will be our delight,

'Til by turning, turning we come round right

The Shakers were a community officially known as the 'United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing'. They lived in the 19th and 20th Century. This hymn is probably their most important and lasting contribution to the world. The words of this hymn are unusual to my ears, because they don't mention God or any form of supernatural phenomena. Instead they urge us to be simple and to work together. I think this is very much the spirit of h2g2.

The tune of this hymn is used as the main theme in Aaron Copeland's Appalachian Sunrise as well as being used in the hymn Lord of the Dance.

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Contributed by Gnomon

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