Gentle Words: A Shaker Music Sampler

(AMRC CD 0016)

 

Song lyrics:

What the dew is to the flower
Gentle words are to the soul
And a blessing to the giver
And so dear to the receiver
We should never withhold.
Gentle words kindly spoken
Often soothe the trouble mind
While links of love are broken
By words that are unkind.
Then O thou gentle spirit
My constant guardian be -
Do to others be my motto*
As I'd have them do to me.

* - from the "Golden Rule" in the Bible - Mathew 7:12

 

This album features original music written by Shaker men and women,

also music editions and arrangements by Roger Lee Hall.

These recordings illustrate the simplicity
and joyous spirituality of Shaker music.

Included on this CD are music examples sung by Shaker sisters

from field recordings and

includes an excerpt from an interview with the

classical composer, Aaron Copland,

about his arrangements of "Simple Gifts."

Also recordings from 1976 by Plymouth Church Choir,

Shaker Heights, Ohio, John D. Herr, Director.

Track titles:

1. ++Song: Welcome, Welcome Precious Gospel Kindred --
Rosetta Cummings, Enfield, New Hampshire, 1869

2. Dance Song: Come Life, Shaker Life--
Issachar Bates, New Lebanon, NY, 1835

3. +Anthem: Mount Zion -- Issachar Bates, Ohio, about 1815

4. +Hymn: Rights of Conscience -- Issachar Bates, Ohio, 1810

5. +Hymn: Ode to Contentment -- Issachar Bates, 1833

6. +Song: While We're Marching -- North Union, Ohio, 1847

7. +Dancing Song: Simple Gifts (Tis the gift to be simple)
--Joseph Brackett, Alfred, Maine, 1848

8. +Hymn: Doxology -- Oliver C. Hampton, Union Village, Ohio, 1850s

9. +Song: A Dream -- Harvey L. Eades, Union Village, Ohio, 1860

10. +Hymn: A Prayer for the Captive -- Cecilia DeVere,
New Lebanon, New York, 1862

11. Anthem: Millennial Praise-- James G. Russell, Enfield, NH, 1883

12. ++Humility Song: Gentle Words --
Polly Rupe, Pleasant Hill, KY, 1867

13. ++Humility Song: love is little -- South Union, KY, about 1834

14. ++Hymn: Celestial Praises -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1841

15. ++Hymn: Celestial Choir -- Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1847

16. ++Song: May I Softly Walk and Wisely Speak --
Mount Lebanon, New York, 1869
- recorded live in concert in 1976

17. ++Seven Variations on a Shaker Marching Tune -- for piano, 1984
(composed by Roger Lee Hall) - recorded live at a piano concert in 1986

18. #Interview and Song: +Living Souls, Let's Be Marching --
Brother Ricardo Belden interview with Jerome Count

19. #Hymn: I Must Live Must Have My Being --
sung by Sister Mildred Barker and Sister Frances Carr
and recorded in 1974 at Shaker Heights, Ohio

20. #Song: O My Sweet Shaker Home --sung by Eldress Bertha Lindsay, 1980

21. #Hymn: I Want To Be Like A Lily -- Eldress Bertha Lindsay, 1980

22. #Commentary on Shaker songs by Eldress Bertha Lindsay, Canterbury, NH, 1980

23. #Skipping Song: O We're A Band of Sisters --
Eldress Bertha Lindsay, 1980

24. Song: Simple Gifts -- vocal arrangement by Aaron Copland, 1950

25. Highlights from interview
with composer Aaron Copland at his home, 1980

26. Song: Give Good Gifts -- Martha Jane Anderson (ca. 1892)

27. ++Hymn: The Humble Heart -- text:: Eunice Wyeth/
tune: Thomas Hammond, Harvard, Massachusetts, 1822
(arranged by Roger Lee Hall - in memory of Randy Folger)

28. ++Song: We Will All Go Home With You --
Canterbury, New Hampshire, 1862


# No. 18-23 = music and commentary by Shaker singers

+ Nos. 3-10 - edited by Roger Lee Hall, 1976

++ Nos. 1, 12-17, 27-28 - arranged by Roger Lee Hall

CD art design: GMH

 

Listen to the arrangement of "Gentle Words" by Roger Lee Hall
based on the original Shaker song by Polly Rupe and
sung by Plymouth Church Choir, John D. Herr, Director
-- click here

 

 

 

This book

features historical information about Shaker music,

the lyrics to 25 Shaker spirituals on the CD,

and at the back of the book a Music Supplement

with four Shaker music arrangements by Roger Lee Hall.


To order in the USA

You will receive both the book and the CD

for the price of only $19.95

including Free US postage

 

To order in countries other than the USA

Orders for the PDF book and

any 4 Shaker audio titles

are available for the same price of $19.95

in countries outside of the USA

and will be sent by email attachment

or by Dropbox.


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These two AMRC CDs available separately

 

 

 

 

For any questions -- click here


 

 

 

      
   
         
   


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