“Simple Gifts”
In talking to a number of people, both practicing Buddhists and people interested in Buddhism, about the idea for a New Dharma Center, one of the most universally appealing elements of the concept is the notion that we could integrate singing into the meetings (Note: according to strict Theravada tradition, this is not acceptable—you have been cautioned). Nobody much likes the idea of hymn singing, but everyone seems to spark to the notion that a lot of their favorite folk songs and “folkish” pop songs have lyrics which express a sentiment compatible with the Buddhadharma. So, from time to time, I’ll post the lyrics to such a song, along with a link to Amazon’s MP3 Digital Downloads page where you can purchase the song for 89 or 99 cents.
We’ll start with “Simple Gifts”, a song I’ve loved since I first heard Pete Seeger sing it at Oberlin in 1955.
The song was written by Elder Joseph while he was at the Shaker community in Alfred, Maine in 1848. What appeals to me is the song’s truth, its freedom from dogma, the beauty and singability of its melody, and its clear connection with dance (also verboten to Theravadins). Here are the lyrics:
‘Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will 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.
The song’s been recorded by almost everyone. One of my favorite versions is the short one by Judy Collins, from her album “Whales & Nightingales”. You can get it from AmazonMP3.com for $.99.
(This was first posted, in a very slightly different form, on the New Dharma Center site.)
