'Tis a Gift to Be Simple

The words to this 18th century Shaker song offer us some wonderful thoughts and insights for meditation.  We hope you find it as prayerful as we...

'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
'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.

'Tis the gift to be gentle, 'tis the gift to be fair,
'Tis the gift to wake and breathe the morning air;
And ev'ry day to walk in the path we chose,
'Tis the gift that we pray we may ne'er come to lose.

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.

'Tis the gift to be loving, 'tis the gift best of all,
Like a quiet rain, it blesses where it falls;
And if we have the gift, we will truly believe
'Tis better to give than it is to receive.

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.