The Dance

There is something almost mesmeric about watching a well-choreographed dance. This is especially so, I find, if the dance is a circle dance. The very patterns produced by the synchronised movement of those involved is complete in itself, yet, at the same time, there is an invitation to join in, to be caught up in the celebration of life.

Christ said that his call to discipleship was such an invitation. He charged the Pharisees of his day to recognise that their refusal to accept him and his teaching was a rejection of God’s purpose for their lives

“we piped for you and you would not dance” he said

Those who received his invitation and were prepared to deny self and take up the sacrificial life were like those joining the dance where He was calling the tune.

Sydney Carter took up this theme in his song “Lord of the Dance”

Here is the definitive authorised version of the words:

I danced in the morning
When the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon
And the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven
And I danced on the 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.

I danced for the scribe
And the pharisee,
But they would not dance
And they wouldn’t follow me.
I danced for the fishermen,
For James and John -
They came with me
And the Dance went on.

Chorus

I danced on the Sabbath
And I cured the lame;
The holy people
Said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped
And they hung me on high,
And they left me there
On a Cross to die.

Chorus

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
And they thought I’d gone,
But I am the Dance,
And I still go on.

Chorus

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.

Chorus

Copyright 1963 Stainer & Bell Ltd. London, England

Sydney Carter wrote…

“I see 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.”