Sheet Music for Viola Solo
An atmospheric setting of the well-known Shaker song composed in 1848 by Joseph Brackett from Alfred Shaker Village. The song became the basis of the popular hymn, ‘Lord of the Dance’ in an adaptation by Sydney Carter.
Backing track:
Lyrics:
‘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 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.