The Key of a song relates to the entire scale in which the song is being played. For instance, a song played in the Key of G is developed through the G major scale. A scale can be played using one string or multiple strings. That being said, chords are built from scales and consist of the I, iii, and V notes of the scale. Other scale notes can be found around the chord.
The melody line of Simple Gifts uses notes from the entire G scale or the Key of G. These notes consist of the I, iii, and V of the G chord and the notes (ii, IV and vi) surrounding the chord.
Confused Yet?
FM