Christmas Musicals for Church
Issue link: http://read.jwpepper.com/i/98933
Foreword O nl y Sydney Carter���s classic hymn, Lord of the Dance, is a metaphor of the life of Christ. In beautiful, poetic language, Carter describes Jesus as The Piper, calling his followers to the dance of life. This work is an elaboration on that hymn, portraying each verse individually in a dramatic, colorful presentation -- all retelling the story from John 3:16, ���For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.��� This 30-minute work is flexible enough to be used anytime during Lent, following Sydney Carter���s hymn text, as it frames the life of Christ. vi ew BIRTH: I danced inthe morning when the world was begun. LIFE: I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee. DEATH: I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black. RESURRECTION: They cut me down and I leapt up high. re For Maundy Thursday or Good Friday, it may be concluded with the musical benediction, My Jesus, I Love Thee. For Palm Sunday or Easter morning there is an additional narration and underscore (On the Third Day) that leads into an exciting, complete setting of Lord of the Dance, celebrating Christ���s victorious resurrection. Fo rP Narration and scripture have been carefully chosen to complete the story, tying together the verses of Lord of the Dance with a variety of other timeless hymns and songs, creating a meaningful worship experience for the congregation. The piano accompaniment works extremely well by itself, while the optional instrumental parts require a minimal number of players and will enhance the overall effect. No matter how you use Lord of the Dance, I hope you will enjoy sharing this musical experience with your congregation. - Joel Raney