Joseph Brackett Jr.
1797 - 1882
Shaker (United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing)
Biography
Joseph Brackett Jr. (1797–1882) was an American Shaker elder and songwriter associated with the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing. The Canterbury Shaker Village finding aid for the Roger Lee Hall Collection identifies Brackett as both the text writer and tune source for Simple Gifts, dates the song to 1848, places it at Alfred, Maine, and classifies it as a dance song. Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village likewise describes Simple Gifts as a living Shaker song written in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett.
The melody later became widely known outside Shaker communities. Hymnary credits Brackett as composer of SIMPLE GIFTS and documents its use in many hymnals, while the Library of Congress notes the tune's prominent appearance in Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring in 1944. Brian J. Dumont's 2011 His Gifts uses an altered form of Brackett's melody with a new Christian text. Brackett's nineteenth-century melody is public domain; Dumont's words and 2011 setting are separate copyrighted components.
The melody later became widely known outside Shaker communities. Hymnary credits Brackett as composer of SIMPLE GIFTS and documents its use in many hymnals, while the Library of Congress notes the tune's prominent appearance in Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring in 1944. Brian J. Dumont's 2011 His Gifts uses an altered form of Brackett's melody with a new Christian text. Brackett's nineteenth-century melody is public domain; Dumont's words and 2011 setting are separate copyrighted components.
Hymns by Joseph Brackett Jr.
His Gifts
Role: Composer