Come Life, Shaker Life began as a Shaker hymn composed by Issachar Bates in 1835. The Shakers, more properly known as the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing gained their nickname as a reference to their ecstatic style of worship, which often featured particular forms of dance and movement. You may know their more well-known hymn Simple Gifts, also featured in Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring.
In an unexpected turn, Richie Havens used this hymn as the basis for his song Run, Shaker Life. It was in turn picked up the the Voices of East Harlem and performed at an incredible concert at Sing Sing prison. Though the context shift from 19th century religious practice to 1970s funk, soul and rock seems abrupt, the ecstatic nature of the music remains present in this performance on Soul Train. The seemingly unrelated Run Shakers Life by Joe Cocker can be found on his album On Air which was recorded live at the BBC from 1968-1969.
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