Index

Internet Book of Shadows, (Various Authors), [1999], at sacred-texts.com

LORD OF THE DANCE

In response to many requests for information about the neo-pagan version of Lord Of The Dance....

The words are credited to Aidan Kelly, C. Taliesin Edwards, and Ann

Cass; the tune (when it isn't "Simple Gifts") is credited to Jenny

Peckham-Vanzant, and may be an old shape-note hymn.

Aidan Kelly and C. Taliesin Edwards may be the same person.

According to the article in the filksong magazine "Filker Up #3," (a reprint from _Kantele_ #12, Fall 1982, and written by Cathy Cook-

MacDonald), the first four verses were written by Kelly and Edwards, four more by Ann Cass in 1975-6, and the four seasonal verses by Ann

Cass in 1976. Gwydion recorded the song, with variant lyrics, on his _Songs Of The Old Religion_ tape (not the entire song, though).

A version of it can also be found on the tape _Celtic Circle Dance_, by Joe Bethancourt. --------------------------------------------------------------------

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): Dance, dance, where ever 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 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: (more)

Lord Of The Dance (Cont.)

2287

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! *

2288