The Dance Goes On: Faith and Resurrection in ‘Lord of the Dance’

For Sunday, April 12, 2026
Lord of the Dance arranged by Barnard

By Carol Nave

Few pieces capture the energy and movement of the Easter season quite like Lord of the Dance. Set to the familiar Shaker tune Simple Gifts, the text was written in 1963 by English songwriter Sydney Carter, who imagined the life of Christ as a kind of cosmic dance—one that begins in creation and continues through the cross and resurrection.

The hymn traces Jesus’ story in vivid, rhythmic language: dancing at creation, calling disciples, confronting oppression, and ultimately rising again. The refrain—“Dance, then, wherever you may be”—invites not just observation, but participation. It suggests that faith is not static, but something lived, embodied, and shared.

The choral arrangement by Barnard brings out this vitality with rhythmic drive and bright harmonies, making it especially fitting for Eastertide. There is both joy and depth here—the music is spirited, but the message is profound: even in the face of death, the dance goes on.

As the choir offers this anthem, listeners are invited to hear the resurrection not only as an event, but as an ongoing invitation—to step into the rhythm of God’s life, and to join in the dance.