For I Am the Lord of the Dance Said He

[oneighty]

Oh no! Religious comments from 180.

Just wanted to share.

Years ago we took our adopted children to a Methodist church not for any reason other than to expose them to the life some of their young friends experienced.

It was there as I sat watching the tiny faces of the children singing I first heard 'Lord of the Dance', a gentle melody with very strange words and I pictured in my mind the Christ dancing. That was hard to imagine.

Years later I happened to catch Aron Copeland's Appalachian Spring on the radio and was astonished to hear the 'Lord' melody incorporated into his composition.

In Carl Sagan's book 'COSMOS' he tells of Shiva the Hindu 'Lord Of the Dance'. It is Shiva that first danced the world into being.

In my mind I connect the two religions. But it seems The Hindu Lord of the Dance preceded the Christian Lord of the Dance. A Curiosity, nothing more.

Much latter in time I spoke long distance with my former boss (An MD that became a minister) He knew immediately what I was telling him. Turns out that the Lord of the Dance melody was taken from an old English song.

I will never forget the little children their innocent selves singing 'Lord of the Dance'.

And I think that no matter how different human cultures are we still all children of the earth

Just so.

180

[shrike]

1. We just sang that at mass the other day. (I'm Catholic)

It's one of my favorites. And yes, I agree, it's seems like a strange choice for a hymn.

[oneighty]

3. Strange choice

My Grand Parents were Travelers in the Society of Friends. In the few meetings I attended with them over the years I do not recall any singing of hymns at all.

They did not believe in dancing. I bet the mental image of a dancing Jesus would be appalling.

180

[bmbmd]

2. Beautiful tune-from the old Shaker melody "Simple Gifts".

Here's the lowdown.
http://www.stainer.co.uk/lotd.html

[scarlet_owl]

4. We sang that at Mass two weeks ago.

I like the tune.

[bmbmd]

5. Forgot to mention

that you can dance "The Bunny Hop" to this tune. Used to do that with my youth groups at camp.