Song, Chant, Poetry, Stories and Satire for the Pagan Community

This entry made: 10/26/1997

Title: Lord of the Dance
Lyrics by: Gwyddion PenDderwyn, Amy Falkowitz, Ann Case, Len Rosenberg, many others
Tune: "Lord of the Dance" (Christian song), or "Simple Gifts" (Traditional)
Date:
Source: http://www.witchhaven.com/atho/files/filk/BARDIC.ZIP
Recorded on: "Carry Me Home" (Todd Alan) FireSeed Publishing
Subject: God

The chord "Am+G" is fingered by raising the first finger off the 2nd
string in a standard "Am" chord and then placing the little finger on
the 6th string, 3rd fret (G).

The chord "Am+B" is fingered by raising the first finger off the 2nd
string in a standard "Am" chord.

             Am
        She danced on the water, and the wind was Her horn
             G                                E7
        The Lady laughed, and everything was born
             Am                            Dm
        And when She lit the sun and its' light gave Him birth
             Am                       Am+G           E7
        The Lord of the Dance first appeared on the Earth

                  Am
      (Chorus): Dance, dance, where ever you may be
                C         G           (Bm)       E7
                I am the Lord of the Dance, you see!
                   Am     Am+B                 Am
                I live in you, and you live in Me
                       Am      Am+B       G      E7   Am
                And I lead you all in the Dance, said He!

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

        I dance in the Circle when the flames leap up high
        I dance in the Fire, and I never, ever, 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 thru the waving grain
        And when you 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 dance on, and 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 thru the years
        That the Dance goes on thru all our joy, 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 'til 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 re-birth
        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!