Joseph Brackett Composes Simple Gifts

Background. Joseph Brackett Jr. (May 6, 1797 – July 4, 1882) was an American songwriter, author, and elder of the Shakers. Born as Elisha Brackett in Cumberland, Maine, his first name was changed to Joseph when his family joined the Shaker community in Gorham, Maine. The group later moved to Poland Hill, and Brackett eventually became head of the Shaker society in Maine. He resided with the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village before being called to serve in the Ministry in 1848; this residence preceded the Ministry call and is not directly tied to the composition of 'Simple Gifts'.

Composition and Attribution. The song 'Simple Gifts' was written in 1848. It is generally attributed to Elder Joseph Brackett from the Alfred Shaker Village. However, there is disagreement regarding which community he belonged to at the time. The Alfred community's history does not reference the song, though it mentions Elder Joseph. The first known reference is an October 1848 concert advertisement by the Shakers of New Gloucester.

Legacy. Brackett is known today primarily as the presumed author of 'Simple Gifts', a Shaker dancing song that has become an internationally loved tune through his original version and many adaptations. The song was largely unknown outside of Shaker communities until Aaron Copland used the melody in his 1944 composition Appalachian Spring, and it is still widely performed and adapted.