Simple Gifts

It became widely known when Aaron Copland used its melody for the score of Martha Graham's ballet Appalachian Spring, which premiered in 1944.

Elder Joseph resided with the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester, Maine community before he was called to serve in the Ministry in 1848.

[4] The song was largely unknown outside Shaker communities until Aaron Copland used its melody for the score of Martha Graham's ballet, Appalachian Spring, first performed in 1944.

A manuscript of Mary Hazzard of the New Lebanon, New York Shaker community records this original version of the melody.

[citation needed] A somewhat similar musical theme arises also in a brass ensemble work, Canzon per sonare no.

[citation needed] English songwriter Sydney Carter adapted the original American Shaker tune and lyrics for his hymn "Lord of the Dance" published and copyrighted in 1963.

[10] The musical's title and version of the "Lord of the Dance" have led to some confusion that the song and lyrics are Celtic; however they are of American and English origin.