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Simple Filk (Simple Gifts??) 
Simple Filk (Simple Gifts??) (Helen Fleischer) 
'Tis a gift to be simple But it just isn't free. You should see the cost of real simplicity! The price of Shaker tables has gone way out of sight, And the tag on the chairs made me faint outright. 
If true simplicity is plain, Then, "Do it yourself!" now must be our refrain. To turn wood will be our delight, Then assemble and glue it and clamp down tight! 
'Tis a gift to be simple So we'll weave cloth ourselves.* First we'll buy up some wood and build a lot of shelves. Then fill them up with yarn and remodel the room, So we have enough space left to set up a loom. 
If true simplicity is plain, Then, "Do it yourself!" now must be our refrain. To weave, now, will be our delight, Throw the shuttle across, pack the weft down tight! 
'Tis a gift to be simple So we'll spin our own yarn. Oh, and if we buy sheep, then we'll have to build a barn. But the zoning board won't let us, on our small urban lot. Shall we move to the country? No, I think not. 
If true simplicity is plain, Then, "Do it yourself!" now must be our refrain. To buy fleece will be our delight, And a spinning wheel, too! Get the best in sight! 
'Tis a gift to be simple But it just isn't free. First the tools, then the wood, then the loom and, oh dear me! We made our chairs and table, set them up and wove the seats, But, with all this other stuff, there's no room to eat! 
If true simplicity is plain, 
Then, "Do it yourself!" now must be our refrain. A yard sale will be our delight, Now we've had the simple pleasure of doing it right! 
*Note: This song implies a particular type of Shaker chair whose seat is made of narrow handwoven strips of wool, rather than rush or cane. --Helen 
... Spent so much on the loom, I've got nothing left. 
copyright Helen Fleischer 1993 HF apr97