Simple Gifts - Additional Verses

Additional Verses

Two additional, later non-Shaker verses exist for the song, as follows:

'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,

'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,

And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,

Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

(refrain)

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,

'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",

And when we hear what others really think and really feel,

Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

(refrain)

Tis the gift to be loving, tis the best gift of all

Like a quiet rain it blesses where it falls

And with it we will truly believe

Tis better to give than it is to receive

And an additional alternative:

The Earth is our mother and the fullness thereof,

Her streets, her slums, as well as stars above.

Salvation is here where we laugh, where we cry,

Where we seek and love, where we live and die.

When true liberty is found,

By fear and by hate we will no more be bound.

In love and in light we will find our new birth

And in peace and freedom, redeem the Earth.

Another alternate verse:

'tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be fair

'tis a gift to wake and breathe the morning air

and each day we walk on the path that we choose

'tis a gift we pray we never shall lose