Simple Gifts – A Hymn of Thanksgiving {Day 6}

We are wrapping up the first week of our “Love Fall” series! The weather turned a little chilly yesterday, and it was so nice to be outside for a good part of the day and bask in the season changing.

Sunday is the day set apart to worship God, our precious creator. I normally set that day aside from blogging as well, but during this 31 day series I wanted to share something that would honor the Lord on this day.

Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest. Exodus 34:21

Today I’m sharing a favorite song of mine that I love listening to during the fall season.

Simple Gifts is a shaker song written in 1884. It was largely unknown to the outside world until Aaron Copland discovered it.

Here are the lyrics to the song Simple Gifts:

‘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.

The words do not speak of a fall season, rather of a spirit of gratitude. October leads us into Thanksgiving season, and this song is rightfully used during the season of gathering in all the abundance of harvest.

I searched on youtube, the following arrangement was the prettiest one I could find of a group singing it. I hope you enjoy it!