A Gift To Be Simple (Shaker Dance)

If one thinks of religious dance in America, the Shakers always come to mind, for they were a religious sect for whom dance was an integral aspect of worship. Founded in England, they came to the East and Midwest in the late eighteenth century and created many songs and dances to express their delight in God.

"A Gift to Be Simple" is one of the best known examples of their dances and songs. This dance was taught to Carla DeSola by a person living in the vicinity of a Shaker village. Opening formation: a circle, all facing center. "¢ "It's the gift to be simple, it's the gift to be free": All take four steps toward the center, beginning with the right foot (r, l, r, l). Hands are held in front of the body about waist height, palms facing upward. Initiated by a gentle wrist movement, the hands pulse upward and downward. (This up and down movement with upturned hands was thought of as a gesture to receive grace.) "¢ "It's the gift to come down where we ought to be": All take four steps back to place (r, l, r, l). The palms face downward as you walk backward, and shake in a small down and up direction. This movement, with turned down palms, was used to signify shaking out bad influences, or "all that is carnal." (There is a Shaker song with the words, "Come life, Shaker life, come life eternal, shake, shake out of me all that is carnal.") "¢ "And when we find ourselves in the place just right, we will be in the valley of love and delight": Repeat the above pattern; four steps into the center and four steps back to place. "¢ "When true simplicity is gained": Bring hands to prayer position (palms together, fingertips pointing upward). Step to the right with the right foot and bring the left foot to meet the right, bending both knees. Reverse to the left on the words, "simplicity is gained." "¢ "To bow and to bend we shall not be ashamed": Repeat the above pattern (stepping and bending to the right and then to the left). "¢ "To turn, turn will be our delight": Keeping hands in the same prayer position, turn in place by making a small circle to the right (step r, l, r, l). End facing the center. "¢ "Till by turning, turning we come round right": Reverse. Make a small circle to the left (stepping l, r, l, r).