Lord of the Dance (hymn)

"Lord of the Dance" is a hymn written by English songwriter Sydney Carter in 1963.^[1] The melody is from the American Shaker song "Simple Gifts". The hymn is widely performed in English-speaking congregations and assemblies.^[1]

The song follows the idea of the traditional English carol "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day", which tells the gospel story in the first-person voice of Jesus of Nazareth with the device of portraying Jesus' life and mission as a dance.

The American composer Aaron Copland had earlier incorporated this Shaker tune into the music for his ballet Appalachian Spring.

^ ^a ^b Beeson, Trevor (2007). "The Rebellious Sixties". Round the Church in Fifty Years: A Personal Journey. London: SCM Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-334-04148-1.

[Beeson-1] Beeson, Trevor (2007). "The Rebellious Sixties". Round the Church in Fifty Years: A Personal Journey. London: SCM Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-334-04148-1.

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