To Be Free

‘Tis a gift to be simple, ‘tis a gift to be free,
‘Tis a gift to come down to 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 won’t be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
‘Til by turning and turning we come around right.

—Joseph Brackett, 1848 (Shaker dancing song)

‘Tis a gift to be grateful, ‘tis a gift to be here,
‘Tis a gift to be loved by neighbors we hold dear. 
And when we stand up for what we know is right, 
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true benevolence is shown,
With strangers around we won’t be alone.
To love, love will be our delight,
‘Til by loving and loving we come around right.

— Karen Siegel, 2018