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Yo‐Yo Ma — Simple Gifts (w/ Allison Krauss)
Album: Classic Yo-Yo
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 971









Released: 2004
Length: 2:32
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down 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 gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,

'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
Comments (171)add comment
If only these two would join President Biden on the platform tomorrow, Tuesday, January 20, 2021...
Posted 3 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
 sfoster66 wrote:
If this doesn't make you feel something deep inside your soul...well, I think you must be missing something essential...
 
And to those 27 of you who voted 1 
Posted 5 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
This is far too short. It always drives me to find the performance with Itzhak Stern at President Obama's inauguration.
 
Posted 5 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
This was our vespers song at summer camp nights in the Blue Ridge mountains, calming the wild little beasts down into our bunks. Be still in the night. And wake back up to see another day to be the better person. Oh, and don't forget to give thanks for Radio Paradise in your bedtime prayers! I always do. Peace for all tonight. 

Posted 6 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
If this doesn't make you feel something deep inside your soul...well, I think you must be missing something essential...
Posted 6 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
 Angry_Old_Man wrote:
Better than a big hug...

 
From Allison??
Posted 6 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
I can't agree with the lyrics.
Posted 6 years ago by gmichaelt    [ Reply ]
This is nice.
Posted 6 years ago by flyboy    [ Reply ]
Brings back memories of Quaker summer camp....
Posted 7 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
This is why I listen to music.  A personal connection is I live on Yo Yo Ma Lane  in Toronto.  He sponsored the music garden across from our place and came and played at the opening.  I also adore Ms. Kraus.
Posted 7 years ago by graycoach    [ Reply ]
Whole Lotta Shaker Goin On?
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
wonderful
Posted 7 years ago by DocStrangelove    [ Reply ]
 Yes. So much this.
crogers wrote:
Masters of their crafts, telling an old story, together in a simple and beautiful way.  

Yes. 

 


Posted 7 years ago by SCRPListener    [ Reply ]
Angel
Posted 7 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
a beautiful little lesson in love and kindness so sweet to listen to
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
That was just stunning!
Posted 8 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
Very nice RP! 
Posted 8 years ago by Stefan_Lutz    [ Reply ]
Better than a big hug...
Posted 8 years ago by Angry_Old_Man    [ Reply ]
Simply beautiful.
Posted 8 years ago by goodcoffee    [ Reply ]

Once again it is proven 'Less is more'! 


Posted 8 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
True simplicity.
Posted 8 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Oh perleeze...
Posted 8 years ago by Comrade_Coppo    [ Reply ]
Sublime... just to say the least.
Posted 8 years ago by tfioreze    [ Reply ]
Masters of their crafts, telling an old story, together in a simple and beautiful way.  

Yes. 
Posted 9 years ago by crogers    [ Reply ]
Sounds like a short and simple letter just to say the three words.
Posted 9 years ago by eveliko    [ Reply ]
 ianmoff wrote:
Glad RP don't have the Terry Wogan version :-(

But this is very nice 

 
Not enough Wogan on RP!
Posted 9 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
Fascinating..

it's a shame that I can't share on Google plus. 
Posted 9 years ago by dave6    [ Reply ]
My first listen to this. Immediately caught my ear,  recognized Allison, a voice of true beauty in itself,  then I checked the song info, Yo Yo Ma! What a magnificent pairing! 
Posted 9 years ago by Bluenoser    [ Reply ]
Wow! This is why we need a RP.
Posted 9 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
Yeah, this is the reason we need an "eleven" button. 
 
Posted 9 years ago by NeuroGeek    [ Reply ]
TY RP, I have learned something new today.  I'd thought this was an original Copeland tune.  (assist to Wikipedia)
Posted 9 years ago by jsed    [ Reply ]
Sublime... 
{#Meditate} 
Posted 9 years ago by mrtuba9    [ Reply ]
Trifecta. Yo-Yo Ma, Allison Krauss, Shaker hymn. Beautiful. Thanks for playing this!!!
Posted 9 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
 garrettb wrote:
"Dance dance wherever you maybe,
I am the lord of the dance says he
And I need you all wherever you may be
And I need you all the the dance says he" 

That's a tune I learnt forty years ago, and the same one she's singing here...
 

 
Ah yes, thats the tune i've been trying to think of everytime this one plays.
Thanks.
Posted 9 years ago by springof63    [ Reply ]
 Antigone wrote:
Simply adore this. It brings me to tears.

 
Yes.  Every time.


Posted 9 years ago by NeuroGeek    [ Reply ]
I saw YYM in Saratoga several years ago. That cello sounded not of this world.
Posted 9 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Glad RP don't have the Terry Wogan version :-(

But this is very nice 
Posted 10 years ago by ianmoff    [ Reply ]
Should add Aaron Copeland's version to this one.
Posted 10 years ago by Tom_L    [ Reply ]
cowbell!!! I just spewed coffee across my screen, thank you    (I was at first thinking how YoYo brings peace to my mind...)
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
it needs more cowbell.
Posted 10 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
I don't recall that last 10 rating I gave but this performance is just such a simple gift. 
Posted 10 years ago by misterimpatient    [ Reply ]
So few songs move me like this.  I stop in my tracks anytime I hear it.

Thank you Bill and Rebecca! 
Posted 11 years ago by KevH    [ Reply ]
Simply adore this. It brings me to tears.
Posted 11 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
Still love this simple presentation of a wonderful piece of music. 
Posted 11 years ago by misterimpatient    [ Reply ]
Amazing pairing. It's like pears, blue cheese and champagne. Outrageously delicious.
Posted 11 years ago by impediguy    [ Reply ]
"Dance dance wherever you maybe,
I am the lord of the dance says he
And I need you all wherever you may be
And I need you all the the dance says he" 

That's a tune I learnt forty years ago, and the same one she's singing here...
 
Posted 11 years ago by garrettb    [ Reply ]

Sometimes less is more and this tracks simplicity allows the beauty of the song and the performance to shine. Exquisite. 


Posted 11 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
Bill, I know in the world of radio, silence is not golden, but you need a second or two of it after this song to let it reverberate in your soul.

 
Posted 11 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
Simply lovely.
Posted 11 years ago by misterimpatient    [ Reply ]
 joelbb wrote:
A perfectly simple combination of paired excellencies.
 
very much so!!             {#Sunny}
Posted 11 years ago by dew34    [ Reply ]
 Tagish_girl wrote:
On a whim, I stopped at Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire.  The grizzled old tour guide led us to the Meeting House, where he described Shaker worship, which was mostly communal dancing and singing.  He took his place over one of the little wood markers inlaid in the wide floor. Then he sang this song and did the accompanying dance.  It was so joyous I wanted him to teach me, then we could do it together.  Just didn't have the guts to speak up.
Shakers were unique to the day.  Pacifist, communal, industrious, rigorous equality of the sexes, simple, successful.  They invented the washing machine.  Go Shakers!
 
what she said
Posted 11 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
..officially adopting this one as my theme song..compelling!..
Posted 11 years ago by cShaggy    [ Reply ]
A perfectly simple combination of paired excellences.
Posted 11 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
Sublime, ethereal, hard to add much to the (positive) comments already posted.
Posted 12 years ago by vaiodon    [ Reply ]
 terrapin52 wrote:
Not a big fan of this one.
 
No guitars? What's not to like?
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 terrapin52 wrote:
Not a big fan of this one.
 
Oh please, what's not to like?  Crisp, gorgeous, virtuoso.  
Posted 12 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
I thought this was rather boring until I really listened to Yo-Yo Ma's playing.  Simple Gifts is just kind of a tired old song to me, but wow, that was well done.
Posted 12 years ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]
{#Music}{#Music}{#Music}
Posted 12 years ago by JIan    [ Reply ]
Oh, she sings like an angel.
And he plays ethereally. 
Great combo. 
Wow.      
Posted 12 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Turning, turning............... what a delight ! Thanks so much
Posted 12 years ago by howton52    [ Reply ]
If Mr. Ma and Ms. Krauss stick with it, they could really make names for themselves...

Simply amazing.
Posted 12 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Yo-Yo Ma is in a class by himself.
Posted 12 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
We had this song sung at our wedding. A great memory. Thanks for this one!
Posted 12 years ago by Deegerino    [ Reply ]
It doesn't get any more beautiful than this.  Turn it up all the way to 11.  Yo-Yo's arrangement is spectacular.  Several years ago, listening to this album, and this track in particular, inspired me to find a string quartet that could do a version of this at my wedding.  It was wonderful.   
Posted 12 years ago by NeuroGeek    [ Reply ]
On a whim, I stopped at Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire.  The grizzled old tour guide led us to the Meeting House, where he described Shaker worship, which was mostly communal dancing and singing.  He took his place over one of the little wood markers inlaid in the wide floor. Then he sang this song and did the accompanying dance.  It was so joyous I wanted him to teach me, then we could do it together.  Just didn't have the guts to speak up.
Shakers were unique to the day.  Pacifist, communal, industrious, rigorous equality of the sexes, simple, successful.  They invented the washing machine.  Go Shakers!
Posted 12 years ago by Tagish_girl    [ Reply ]
Some very unexpected but appealing counter-melody twists there by Ma. Hints of Copland.

And an exquisite voice. Beautiful piece. 
Posted 12 years ago by pixel-pusher    [ Reply ]
Twas good indeed.
Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
What's not to like??  {#Clap}
Posted 12 years ago by eswiley2    [ Reply ]
10 from me. Perfection.
Posted 12 years ago by Rotterdam    [ Reply ]
I do love the simple serenity of this performance. Most excellent. 
Posted 12 years ago by misterimpatient    [ Reply ]
Nice version. Judy Collins did a great cover of this on Whales and Nightingales also... 
Posted 12 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Not a big fan of this one.
Posted 12 years ago by terrapin52    [ Reply ]
c'mon...

how WONDERFUL is that !?!  {#Clap}
Posted 13 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]
{#Angel}
Posted 13 years ago by Ears_of_Stone    [ Reply ]

I need to get this for my daughter who has just started to learn to play the cello in school.

 

Yes Virginia some schools still have good music programs.  Thank God.


Posted 13 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
got flashbacks of catholic grade school, always liked singing in church.
Posted 13 years ago by Augustus    [ Reply ]
 ShockwaveRider wrote:
I first heard this when in the process of adopting my son. I resolved that, my singing voice be damned, I would sing this to him every night. I did it first on the long flight home and have sung it every night for three years now.
 

Keep up the good work, I am a 53-year-old adoptee whos mother sung to him every night as a kid. Personally, I can’t sing a note but I love and appreciate good music, which is why I listen to Radio Paradise. Thanks, mum!
Posted 13 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
 ShockwaveRider wrote:
I first heard this when in the process of adopting my son. I resolved that, my singing voice be damned, I would sing this to him every night. I did it first on the long flight home and have sung it every night for three years now.
 
 
{#Daisy}
The long flight back from where?

Posted 13 years ago by DeAun    [ Reply ]
What a wonderful pairing, and lovely experience that was!
Posted 13 years ago by DeAun    [ Reply ]
 fingerpin wrote:
Gifts, indeed. 
 
{#High-five} Yo, Yo! Mr Ma with AK = {#Good-vibes}
Posted 13 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Musical perfertion. There really is such a thing.
Posted 13 years ago by Shawnmcc    [ Reply ]
I first heard this when in the process of adopting my son. I resolved that, my singing voice be damned, I would sing this to him every night. I did it first on the long flight home and have sung it every night for three years now.
 
Posted 13 years ago by ShockwaveRider    [ Reply ]

A million times this.... except for me it was 10th grade choir. And you know how ridiculous those teachers can be about perfection, so it was over and over and over and over.......... blarg! 

 jb0nez wrote:
Ahh yes, having to sing this one over and over in my 4th grade Montessori classroom. Too bad, a beautiful song made unpleasant for me.
 


Posted 13 years ago by UhLain    [ Reply ]
Gifts, indeed. 
Posted 13 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
Simple perfection. 
Posted 13 years ago by chasech5    [ Reply ]
*tries to knit yogurt*

*fails* 
Posted 13 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
Purely sublime.
Posted 13 years ago by shutter    [ Reply ]
 Jeff09 wrote:
Bill, you're weaving some art here...
 


Posted 13 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
Bill, you're weaving some art here...
Posted 13 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
 aelfheld wrote:

It's a Shaker hymn.

 
Courtesy of William Byrd...........much earlier - and he probably poached it too.

Anyway, mr Ma is simply superb.
Posted 13 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
That was just stunning.
Posted 13 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Ahh yes, having to sing this one over and over in my 4th grade Montessori classroom. Too bad, a beautiful song made unpleasant for me.
Posted 13 years ago by jb0nez    [ Reply ]
Quite Beautiful!

Thanks Bill! 
Posted 13 years ago by KevH    [ Reply ]
 GeneP59 wrote:
This reminds me of the Ken Burns series on the Civil War.
 
How is that btw?  My dad is a HUGE Civil War buff and has read everything that Bruse Catton has ever written as well as a subscriber to Civil War Times.  (It always made me laugh, how much new news could be coming out about the Civil War?)

Posted 13 years ago by Byronape    [ Reply ]
LORD of the dance.  Two masters of music singing the praises.  Thats the right way to start Monday.
Posted 13 years ago by gjones    [ Reply ]
That was beautiful.
Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
I am shaken.
Posted 13 years ago by Dgradeworkunit    [ Reply ]
Beautiful version of this song!
Posted 13 years ago by gratefulgator    [ Reply ]
This reminds me of the Ken Burns series on the Civil War.
Posted 13 years ago by GeneP59    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
I can never resist this Irish/Celtic tune...and this...so beautifully done!
 
It's a Shaker hymn.

Posted 13 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
I am now officially melted butter!
Posted 13 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
This is really excellent.  Had to stop working to listen.

Posted 13 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
Perfection. 
Posted 13 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
boileymon wrote:
Excellent, but it's "KRAUSS."
and this is beautiful.
Posted 17 years ago by vvlee    [ Reply ]
NeuroJoe wrote:
It's like her voice and his cello were a match made in heaven. Simply stunning.
Excellent, but it's "KRAUSS."
Posted 17 years ago by boileymon    [ Reply ]
I can never resist this Irish/Celtic tune...and this...so beautifully done!
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
It's like her voice and his cello were a match made in heaven. Simply stunning.
Posted 17 years ago by NeuroJoe    [ Reply ]
My only complaint is that the song is too short!
Posted 17 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
jlind wrote:
Great seg from Kidneythieves!
No, no, not really.
Posted 17 years ago by Daniel_Pittenger    [ Reply ]
Stunner. I'm an absolute sucker for all things Allison Krause.
Posted 17 years ago by Jimi_the_Saint    [ Reply ]
It is there now. Just got it. Search under the album title. AnchorMan wrote:
Yes! but it's not there.
Posted 17 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Cookie wrote:
Woooooow. On the iTunes wishlist, post-haste!
Yes! but it's not there.
Posted 17 years ago by AnchorMan    [ Reply ]
Woooooow. On the iTunes wishlist, post-haste!
Posted 17 years ago by Cookie    [ Reply ]
KSTrillian wrote:
Very lovely, although segue to The Cure isn't. :P I'll admit I'm not familiar with this song, but the melody sounds an aweful lot like "The Lord of the Dance." No, not that Michael Flatly thing, the very old traditional English Christmas song.
Sounds like someone needs a music history class.
Posted 17 years ago by denizenusa    [ Reply ]
Only here, people, will you get this kind of playlist. And that is a true compliment.
Posted 17 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Great seg from Kidneythieves!
Posted 17 years ago by jlind    [ Reply ]
KSTrillian wrote:
Very lovely, although segue to The Cure isn't. :P I'll admit I'm not familiar with this song, but the melody sounds an aweful lot like "The Lord of the Dance." No, not that Michael Flatly thing, the very old traditional English Christmas song.
Yes, I wish Bill had chosen something else to transition to, after such a beautiful and spare song. I simply adore Alison's voice (after seeing the film Cold Mountain, I immediately bought the soundtrack - in large part for the songs by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch. I never tire of the CD.) I too remember this song from (Catholic) junior high. These are the chorus lyrics I remember: "Dance, then, wherever you may be I am the lord of the dance," said he "And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be And I'll lead you all to the dance," said he. The verses are worse ("I danced for the scribes and the Pharisees / But they would not dance and they would not follow me..." Blech.) I much prefer this beautiful, simple, elegant and more universal Shaker version!
Posted 17 years ago by skindy    [ Reply ]
KSTrillian wrote:
I'll admit I'm not familiar with this song, but the melody sounds an aweful lot like "The Lord of the Dance." No, not that Michael Flatly thing, the very old traditional English Christmas song.
There's a good reason for that: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Gifts#The_Melody
Posted 17 years ago by natrik    [ Reply ]
Two extremely gifted artists
Posted 17 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
bellissimo!
Posted 17 years ago by slowhand    [ Reply ]