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Tuesday, April 26, 2022

A New Easter Carol: Lord of the Dance

This year I got encouragement from Brene Brown to create another Easter dance.  Our church was reading her book, Gifts of Imperfection, where she names "Laughter, Song, and Dance" as one of 10 guideposts to cultivate.  And knowing this community usually sings "Lord of the Dance" at the Easter Sunrise service, it seemed a no-brainer.

Not having a lot of capacity to do exhaustive research, I took to my personal mobile research unit and intuited my way to something that felt natural and meaningful.  Here's the write-up; a video from the service is at the end.  Let us know what you think.

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Refrain:  Instructions first with (accompanying words from the song in parathesis)

  1. Standing in a circle facing in, take hands with your neighbors and take four steps in (Dance then)
  2. Step back 4 steps (wherever you may be)
  3. Turn in place to the right (I am the Lord of the Dance said he)
  4. Taking hands in the circle again, walk to the right (And I'll lead you all wherever you may be)
  5. Walk to the left, still holding hands in the circle (and I'll lead you all in the dance, said he) 
Stanzas: (using stanza one for reference)
  1. Standing still, raise your right hand in front of you and watch it arcing out to your side (I danced in the morning when the world was begun)
  2. Then do the same with your left hand (I dance in the moon and the stars and the sun,)
  3. Raise both hands out and bring them down at your sides with a pat/bounce at the end (I came down from Heaven and I danced on earth,)
  4. Bring both hands up your center and then forward as if presenting something wonderful (At Bethlehem I had my birth.)
I find that the movements take on subtle meaning for each verse.  Do you notice this too?  Does it remain meaningful for you?  

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Please share this, if you feel so inspired!  Please credit Sydney Carter (c) 1963 Stainer & Bell for the words and report reprint usage through OneLicense.  The tune, SIMPLE GIFTS, is in the public domain.  Please source Points of Light Music for the movements and point folks to this page if you can.  https://plm.tiny.us/EasterDanceLotD

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Here's the recording of the livestream!  You'll find Lord of the Dance at 25:50.  In the Bulb There Is a Flower is after 13:00 (details for that dance are here)


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