From the recording Simple Gifts
I've been singing "Simple gifts " for a number of years. It is such a short song, with only one verse, that I decided to try my hand at writing another two verses. Always a challenge to try and keep the new writing in the same style as the old. Folks seem to respond well, telling me how much they enjoy even the new verses!
1. ‘Tis a gift to be simple, ‘tis a gift to be free
‘Tis a 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
Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained
To bow and to bend we shant be ashamed
To turn, turn will be our delight
‘Til by turning, turning we come ‘round right.
2. ‘Tis a gift to have friendship that’s as true as can be
‘Tis a gift to have love from each one’s family
A man cannot be richer nor a woman find more worth
Than the hand of a friend while we walk the Earth
3. There are gifts from heaven, there are gifts from the ground
There are gifts we receive all the year around
And when we bow our heads, open hearts and minds
We become a gift for all humankind