211. Lord of the Dance (Sydney Carter)

This song, which uses the tune of the Shaker hymn, Simple Gifts, is Sydney Carter's most popular song. It is one of those songs that is so well-known it has become a bit of a cliche. There is nothing like singing a song over and over at school assemblies to turn you off it for the rest of your life!

The song, inspired not only by Jesus, but also by a statue of Nataraja (Shiva in his dancing posture), was written in 1963. Sydney Carter believed that churches would reject it as "probably heretical and anyway dubiously Christian," though it suited his own view of Christ as "the incarnation of the piper who is calling us. He dances that shape and pattern which is at the heart of our reality. By Christ I mean not only Jesus; in other times and places, other planets, there may be other Lords of the Dance. But Jesus is the one I know of first and best. I sing of the dancing pattern in the life and words of Jesus."

It has been sung by just about everyone, but Tommy Makem's rendition is one of the best.

This song was requested by nutinmay.

You can watch my playlist of Sydney Carter songs here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D694FAD8D9A68A22

You can see a playlist of my gospel songs here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5444D35A2AD94845

For lyrics and chords of my songs, please see my website: http://www.raymondcrooke.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• folk
• song
• gospel
• spiritual
• religion
• Jesus
• Christ
• simple
• gifts
• dance
• tommy
• makem
• request

[KingBouloo]

Love this song ! Great version !!! Man, you're the best singer in world !

[raymondcrooke]

@KingBouloo Now, if everyone else realised that - I might be able to sell some CDs! :- )

[babackman]

I like your work. Thanks for getting back to me so promptly.

[raymondcrooke]

@babackman You're welcome. I'll check out more of your songs when I get a chance.

[babackman]

Can you help me find the author of this song? Nobody Dances? You may want to check out some of my original songs as well. babackman

[raymondcrooke]

@babackman Thanks for the video response. Sorry, but I have no information about the song. It's totally new to me. I'll check out your originals.

[megacheckerresi]

Yeah, very good !

I was looking for this song sooo long.

Thanks :))

Wonderful :)

[KisstheChaos331]

I like the part about Jesus getting brutally beaten and then killed. That was catchy.

[KingBouloo]

@raymondcrooke

lol ! u'r amazing guy !! Love u'r work !

[unlost]

i love this

[raymondcrooke]

@1jellyhead I think it's a very appropriate song for a funeral. Thanks for your comment.