Singer-songwriter Sydney Carter (6 May 1915-13 March 2004) wrote ‘Lord of the dance’ in 1963. The melody he borrowed from "Simple Gifts" (Joseph Brackett, 1848), a song by American Shakers. This religious sect is known for its cultural activities and gender equality.
"Lord of the Dance" was a title that belonged to the Hindu deity Shiva.
The song became more famous than he expected himself. He later stated: "I did not think that the church would like it. I thought many people would find that it went too far, a little heretics doubtful and Christian. But the people sang it and what I did not expect.. it struck a chord ... Anyway, it's the kind of Christianity that I believe in."
He had apparently himself never expected that his dancing Christ would be appreciated by the faithful. His dancer is also based at Shiva (as dancing Nataraja) and other god figures.
"I see Christ as the incarnation of the piper who is calling us. He dances that forms and patterns wich are the core of our reality. With Christ, I mean not only Jesus. At other times and places, other planets, there may be other Lords of the Dance. But Jesus is the one I know the first and best. I sing of the dancing pattern in the life and words of Jesus."
He sees Jesus and dance go together. At other times (the Middle Ages) and other believers (Shakers etc.) after all, it could work also: "Whether Jesus ever jumped around in Galilee to the rhythm of a flute or drum I do not know. We were told that David danced as a form of prayer. So it is not impossible. The fact that many Christians dancing (especially in churches) consider as wicked does not mean that Jesus not did so. The Shakers think in any case differently. "
The text
I danced in the morning when the world was begun
I danced in the Moon & the Stars & the Sun
I came down from Heaven & I danced on Earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth:
Dance then, wherever you may be
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!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)
From creation until the birth of Jesus, the Lord continues inviting to dance. While not everyone wants to join and follow.
I danced for the scribe & the Pharisee
But they would not dance & they wouldn't follow me
I danced for fishermen, for James & John
They came with me & the Dance went on:
Dance then, wherever you may be
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!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)
Besides dancing he did have other things that were not appreciated by the established order.
I danced on the Sabbath & I cured the lame
The holy people said it was a shame!
They whipped & they stripped & they hung me high
And they left me there on a cross to die!
Dance then, wherever you may be
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!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)
Besides dancing he did other things that were not appreciated by the established order.
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 & they thought I'd gone
But I am the Dance & I still go on!
Dance then, wherever you may be
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!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)
They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the Life that'll never, never die!
I'll live in you if you'll live in Me -
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
Dance then, wherever you may be
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!