Lord of the Dance

I was recently on a website and noticed a song called Lord of the Dance. I was surprised to discover that it was sung to the tune of Simple Gifts, an old Shaker hymn, and that it was the song that played several times during the Lord of the Dance show. I found two different versions, but I think that the second is better known.


She danced on the water, and the wind was her horn
The Lady laughed, and everything was born
And when She lit the sun and its' light gave Him birth
The Lord of the Dance first appeared on the Earth

chorus: (sung between all verses)
Dance, dance, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, you see!
I live in you, and you live in Me
And I lead you all in the Dance, said He!

I danced in the morning when the world begun
I danced in the Moon and the Stars and the Sun
I was called from the darkness by the Song of Earth
I joined in the Song, and She gave Me Birth!

I dance in the Circle when the flames leap high
I dance in the Fire and I never, never die
I dance in the waves of the bright summer sea
For I am the Lord of the wave's mystery

I sleep in the kernel and I dance in the rain
I dance in the wind, and through the waving grain
When they cut me down I care nothing for the pain
In the spring I'm the Lord of the Dance once again!

I dance at the Sabbat when you dance out the spell
I dance and sing that everyone be well
And when the dancing's over do not think that I am gone
To live is to Dance! So I still Dance on.

I see the Maidens laughing as they dance in the Sun
And I count the fruits of the harvest one by one
I know the Storm is coming, but the Grain is all stored
So I sing of the Dance of the Lady, and Her Lord:

The Horn of the Lady cast its sound cross the plain
The birds took the notes, and gave them back again
Till the sound of Her music was a Song in the sky
And to that Song there is only one reply:

The moon in her phases, and the tides of the sea
The movement of the Earth, and the Seasons that will be
Are the rhythm for the dancing, and a promise through the years
That the Dance goes on through our joys and tears

We dance ever slower as the leaves fall and spin
And the sound of the Horn is the wailing of the wind
The Earth is wrapped in Stillness, and we move in a trance,
But we hold on fast to our faith in the Dance!

The sun is in the southland and the days grow chill
And the sound of the horn is fading on the hill
'Tis the horn of the Hunter, as he rides across the plain
And the Lady sleeps 'till the Spring comes again

The Sun is in the southland and the days lengthen fast
And soon we will sing for the Winter that is past
Now we light the candles and rejoice as they burn
And we dance the Dance of the Sun's return!

They danced in the darkness and they danced in the night
They danced on the Earth, and everything was light
They danced out the Darkness and they danced in the Dawn
And the Day of that Dancing is still going on!

I gaze on the Heavens and I gaze on the Earth
And I feel the pain of dying and rebirth
And I lift my head in gladness and in praise
For the Dance of the Lord and His Lady gay

I dance in the stars as they whirl throughout space
And I dance in the pulse of the veins in your face
No dance is too great, no dance is too small,
You can look anywhere, for I dance in them all!


And now, here is a different version:

I danced on the morning when the world was begun,
I danced on the moon and the stars and the sun
I came down from Heaven and I danced on the earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth

Chorus: (sung between all verses)
Dance, then, wherever you may be
For 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 in the Dance said He.

I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John
They came with me and the Dance went on.

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high
And left me there on the cross to die

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the Devil on your back
They buried my body and they thought I'd gone
But I am the Dance and I still go on.

They cut me down and I leapt up high:
I am the life that will never, never die.
I'll live in you if you live in me
I am the Lord of the Dance said he.







-Ellentia

*edit*

Wait wait, I found two videos that I like better then the first one: