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{{short description|American songwriter and author (1797–1882)}}
{{for|the Wisconsin politician|Joseph W. Brackett}}
{{for|the Wisconsin politician|Joseph W. Brackett}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
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| birth_name = Elisha Brackett
| birth_name = Elisha Brackett
| birth_date = May 6, 1797
| birth_date = May 6, 1797
| birth_place = Cumberland, Maine
| birth_place = [[Cumberland, Maine|Cumberland]], [[Massachusetts]]
| death_date = July 4, 1882
| death_date = July 4, 1882
| death_place = New Gloucester, Maine
| death_place = [[New Gloucester, Maine]]
}}
}}


'''Joseph Brackett Jr.''' (May 6, 1797 – July 4, 1882) was an American songwriter, author, and elder of The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, better known as the [[Shakers]]. Brackett's most famous song, "[[Simple Gifts]]", is still widely performed and adapted.{{Shakers sidebar}}
'''Joseph Brackett Jr.''' (May 6, 1797 – July 4, 1882) was an American songwriter, author, and elder of The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, better known as the [[Shakers]]. The most famous song attributed to Brackett, "[[Simple Gifts]]", is still widely performed and adapted.
==Biography==
==Biography==
Brackett was born in [[Cumberland, Maine]], on May 6, 1797, as Elisha Brackett.<ref name="Hall 2006">{{cite book|last=Hall|first=Roger L.|year=2006|title=The Story of SIMPLE GIFTS|publisher=PineTree Press}}</ref><ref name=bulletin>{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Roger|title=Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts"|url=http://www.american-music.org/publications/bullarchive/hall233.htm|work=Society for American Music Bulletin|accessdate=4 February 2013}}</ref> When he was 10, his first name was changed to Joseph, like his father's, as the Bracketts joined the short-lived Shaker community in [[Gorham, Maine]].<ref name = "bulletin"/><ref name=glover>{{cite book|last=Glover|first=Raymond F.|title=The Hymnal 1982 Companion, Volume 2|year=1994|publisher=The Church Hymnal Corporation|location=New York|pages=347–348|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4zSSyZpGSekC&pg=PA347&dq=joseph+brackett&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QuwPUZ6IBqWEygHpmYEY&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBTgK#v=onepage&q=joseph%20brackett&f=false}}</ref> This new Shaker community was centered on the Bracketts' property, until the whole group moved to Poland Hill, Maine, in 1819.<ref name = "bulletin"/> Brackett's father died there on July 27, 1838, but Brackett continued to rise in the Shaker community, eventually becoming the head of the society in Maine.<ref name="glover"/>
Brackett was born in [[Cumberland, Maine|Cumberland]], [[Massachusetts]] on May 6, 1797, as Elisha Brackett.<ref name="Hall 2006">{{cite book|last=Hall|first=Roger L.|year=2006|title=The Story of SIMPLE GIFTS|publisher=PineTree Press}}</ref><ref name=bulletin>{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Roger|title=Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts"|url=http://www.american-music.org/publications/bullarchive/hall233.htm|work=Society for American Music Bulletin|access-date=4 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525145400/http://www.american-music.org/publications/bullarchive/hall233.htm|archive-date=25 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> When he was 10, his first name was changed to Joseph, like his father's, as the Bracketts joined the short-lived Shaker community in [[Gorham, Maine]].<ref name = "bulletin"/><ref name=glover>{{cite book|last=Glover|first=Raymond F.|title=The Hymnal 1982 Companion, Volume 2|year=1994|publisher=The Church Hymnal Corporation|location=New York|pages=347–348|isbn=9780898691436|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4zSSyZpGSekC&q=joseph+brackett&pg=PA347}}</ref> This new Shaker community was centered on the Bracketts' property, until the whole group moved to Poland Hill, Maine, in 1819.<ref name = "bulletin"/> Brackett's father died there on July 27, 1838, but Brackett continued to rise in the Shaker community, eventually becoming the head of the society in Maine.<ref name="glover"/>


Brackett died in the Shaker community of [[Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village|Sabbathday Lake]] at [[New Gloucester, Maine]], on July 4, 1882.<ref name="Hall 2006"/>
Brackett died in the Shaker community of [[Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village|Sabbathday Lake]] at [[New Gloucester, Maine]], on July 4, 1882.<ref name="Hall 2006"/>


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
Brackett is known today primarily as the author of the Shaker dancing song "[[Simple Gifts]]", which has become an internationally loved tune, both through his original version and many of its adaptations. The song, written in 1848, was largely unknown outside of Shaker communities until [[Aaron Copland]] used the melody in his 1944 composition ''[[Appalachian Spring]]''.
Brackett is known today primarily as the presumed author of the Shaker dancing song "[[Simple Gifts]]", which has become an internationally loved tune, both through his original version and many of its adaptations. There are two conflicting narratives of Shaker origin as to the composer of the song. One account attributes the song to a "[[Negro]] spirit" heard at [[Canterbury Shaker Village|Canterbury, New Hampshire]], which would make the song a "gift song" received by a Shaker from the spirit world. Alternatively, and far more widely accepted, the song's composer is said to be Brackett.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://issuu.com/manhattanbeachmusic/docs/simple_gifts_conductor_score|title=Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs for concert band by Frank Ticheli|last=Ticheli|first=Frank|publisher=Manhattan Beach Music|year=2012|location=Brooklyn, New York|pages=7}}</ref> The song, written in 1848, was largely unknown outside of Shaker communities until [[Aaron Copland]] used the melody in his 1944 composition ''[[Appalachian Spring]]''. The tune is also known widely through the lyrics "[[Lord of the Dance (hymn)|Lord of the Dance]]", written by [[Sydney Carter]] in 1963. The "Tune Lovers Society", an online organization designed to preserve and protect American tunes from the past, sponsors a birthday commemoration for Brackett on May 6.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.americanmusicpreservation.com/JosephBrackettSimpleGifts.htm#josephbrackettday |title= Joseph Brackett Day|publisher= American Music Preservation.com |access-date=August 26, 2012}}</ref>

Brackett's tune is also known widely through the lyrics "[[Lord of the Dance (hymn)|Lord of the Dance]]", written by [[Sydney Carter]] in 1963.

The "Tune Lovers Society", an online organization designed to preserve and protect American tunes from the past, sponsors a birthday commemoration for Brackett on May 6.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.americanmusicpreservation.com/JosephBrackettSimpleGifts.htm#josephbrackettday |title= Joseph Brackett Day|publisher= American Music Preservation.com |accessdate=August 26, 2012}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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{{US-composer-19thC-stub}}
{{US-composer-stub}}

Latest revision as of 14:32, 9 March 2024

For the Wisconsin politician, see Joseph W. Brackett.
Joseph Brackett
Background information
Birth nameElisha Brackett
BornMay 6, 1797
Cumberland, Massachusetts
DiedJuly 4, 1882
New Gloucester, Maine

Joseph Brackett Jr. (May 6, 1797 – July 4, 1882) was an American songwriter, author, and elder of The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, better known as the Shakers. The most famous song attributed to Brackett, "Simple Gifts", is still widely performed and adapted.

Biography[edit]

Brackett was born in Cumberland, Massachusetts on May 6, 1797, as Elisha Brackett.[1][2] When he was 10, his first name was changed to Joseph, like his father's, as the Bracketts joined the short-lived Shaker community in Gorham, Maine.[2][3] This new Shaker community was centered on the Bracketts' property, until the whole group moved to Poland Hill, Maine, in 1819.[2] Brackett's father died there on July 27, 1838, but Brackett continued to rise in the Shaker community, eventually becoming the head of the society in Maine.[3]

Brackett died in the Shaker community of Sabbathday Lake at New Gloucester, Maine, on July 4, 1882.[1]

Legacy[edit]

Brackett is known today primarily as the presumed author of the Shaker dancing song "Simple Gifts", which has become an internationally loved tune, both through his original version and many of its adaptations. There are two conflicting narratives of Shaker origin as to the composer of the song. One account attributes the song to a "Negro spirit" heard at Canterbury, New Hampshire, which would make the song a "gift song" received by a Shaker from the spirit world. Alternatively, and far more widely accepted, the song's composer is said to be Brackett.[4] The song, written in 1848, was largely unknown outside of Shaker communities until Aaron Copland used the melody in his 1944 composition Appalachian Spring. The tune is also known widely through the lyrics "Lord of the Dance", written by Sydney Carter in 1963. The "Tune Lovers Society", an online organization designed to preserve and protect American tunes from the past, sponsors a birthday commemoration for Brackett on May 6.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Hall, Roger L. (2006). The Story of SIMPLE GIFTS. PineTree Press.
  2. ^ a b c Hall, Roger. "Joseph Brackett's "Simple Gifts"". Society for American Music Bulletin. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  3. ^ a b Glover, Raymond F. (1994). The Hymnal 1982 Companion, Volume 2. New York: The Church Hymnal Corporation. pp. 347–348. ISBN 9780898691436.
  4. ^ Ticheli, Frank (2012). Simple Gifts: Four Shaker Songs for concert band by Frank Ticheli. Brooklyn, New York: Manhattan Beach Music. p. 7.
  5. ^ "Joseph Brackett Day". American Music Preservation.com. Retrieved August 26, 2012.

External links[edit]

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