‘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 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.

To hear this beautiful Shaker song written by Joseph Brackett in 1848 and performed by one of my favorite groups, the King’s Singers, click here:  04 – Gift To Be Simple

I’ve loved this song since the first time I heard Aaron Copeland’s Appalachian Spring but I hadn’t really paid much attention to the words.  The melody is enchanting, the words simple and lyrical, but their meaning hadn’t really settled into my heart. A few days ago, however, my spiritual director sent me an article on simplicity that began with the lyrics to this Shaker hymn. I read them, and then reread them as the melody came back to me. I sat back in wonder, considering the song, line by line.

‘Tis the gift to be simple …

Most of the time my life seems anything but simple. But to think of what it would mean spiritually, emotionally, physically to simplify my life definitely puts it in the “gift” category.

Simplicity? How can it happen? Is it possible, considering the hectic pace of today’s world?

Over the next few weeks I will be exploring, line by line, how these thoughts, written by a Shaker elder in the nineteenth century, might be incorporated into today’s too busy, complex, fast-paced, often confusing world.

If you’d like to join me on my journey, or add comments and questions to the blogs, I invite you to bookmark the site and come back often. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the simple life. Meantime, play this beautiful little Shaker song until it folds itself into your heart, then breathe deeply and know we will “come round right.”

Blessings of love, joy, and peace …