Lord Of The Dance
Steven Curtis Chapman Lyrics
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In a small Kentucky town
I drew my first breath one cold November morning
And before my feet even touched the ground
With the doctors and the nurses gathered 'round
I started to dance
I started to dance
Footloose and fancy free
But it would happen, as it does for every dancer
That I'd stumble on a truth I couldn't see
And find a longing deep inside of me, it said
I am the heart, I need the heartbeat
I am the eyes, I need the sight
I realize that I am just a body
I need the life
I move my feet, I go through the motions
But who'll give purpose to chance
I am the dancer
I need the Lord of the dance
The world beneath us spins in circles
And this life makes us twist and turn and sway
But we were made for more than rhythm with no reason
By the one who moves with passion and with grace
As He dances over all that He has made
I am the heart, He is the heartbeat
I am the eyes, He is the sight
And I see clearly, I am just a body
He is the life
I move my feet, I go through the motions
But He gives purpose to chance
I am the dancer
He is the Lord of the dance
Lord of the dance
Lord of the dance
And while the music of his love and mercy plays
I will fall down on my knees and I will pray
I am the heart, You are the heartbeat
I am the eyes, You are the sight
And I see clearly, I am just a body
You are the life
I move my feet, I go through the motions
But You give purpose to chance
I am the dancer
You are the Lord of the dance
I am the heart, You are the heartbeat
I am the eyes, You are the sight
And I see clearly, I am just a body
You are the life
I move my feet, I go through the motions
But You give purpose to chance
I am the dancer
You are the Lord of the dance
I am the dancer
You are the Lord of the dance
In "Lord of the Dance," Steven Curtis Chapman presents himself as a dancer who has started his journey full of innocence and exhilaration. However, despite his enthusiasm, he discovers himself stumbling upon a truth that he couldn't recognize. He admits that he is just a body and that he needs something more significant to give his dance a purpose. That's when he realizes he needs the Lord of the Dance. The Lord of the Dance is the one who provides passion, grace, love, and mercy, directing him to move towards a specific goal in life in a way that stimulates beauty and elegance.
The entire song is a metaphor for the dance of life and the significance of having a purpose in life. The Lord of the Dance is the one who directs and gives meaning to our movements, leading us on a unique path that is full of ups and downs. Chapman's message in this song is that we are all dancers of life, and to give our movements a purpose, we need to submit ourselves to the Lord of the Dance.
Line by Line Meaning
On the bank of a Tennessee River
I was born in a small Kentucky town near a Tennessee River.
In a small Kentucky town
I grew up in a small town in Kentucky.
I drew my first breath one cold November morning
I was born one cold November day.
And before my feet even touched the ground
As soon as I was born, I started to dance.
With the doctors and the nurses gathered 'round
The medical staff was there to help my mother deliver me.
I started to dance
I was full of life and energy from birth.
A little boy full of wide-eyed wonder
As a child, I was fascinated with the world around me.
Footloose and fancy free
I was carefree and happy.
But it would happen, as it does for every dancer
Like many people, as I grew up, I realized there was more to life than just having fun.
That I'd stumble on a truth I couldn't see
I discovered a truth that I had not understood before.
And find a longing deep inside of me, it said
I felt a deep longing within me.
I am the heart, I need the heartbeat
I am alive, but I need something to keep me going.
I am the eyes, I need the sight
I can see, but I need something to guide me.
I realize that I am just a body
I am more than just a physical entity.
I need the life
I need something to give me purpose.
I move my feet, I go through the motions
I am living my life, but I feel like I am just going through the motions.
But who'll give purpose to chance
I am searching for something or someone to give my life meaning.
I am the dancer
I am living my life, but I feel like something is missing.
I need the Lord of the dance
I need God to guide me and give me purpose.
The world beneath us spins in circles
The world is constantly moving and changing.
And this life makes us twist and turn and sway
Life can be complicated and difficult to navigate.
But we were made for more than rhythm with no reason
We were created for a purpose that is greater than just living day to day.
By the one who moves with passion and with grace
God is the one who created us and guides us with love and grace.
As He dances over all that He has made
God is involved in every part of creation, guiding and caring for us.
And while the music of his love and mercy plays
God's love and mercy are always present and guiding us.
I will fall down on my knees and I will pray
I will humbly ask for God's guidance and mercy through prayer.
You are the Lord of the dance
God is the master of guiding and caring for all of creation.
I am the dancer
I am living my life, but with God's guidance, I can fulfill my purpose.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: CHRIS CLARK, STEPHEN KIPNER, JOHN PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nancyfoix1018
Life is a dance. I am the dancer.
I need the Lord of the dance.
I need His grace and mercy.
I need His Love
that brought me forgiveness of sins.
I need His salvation
that came through
His shed blood;
His great sacrifice.
I need Him to give me strength
through each day.
@troybonner91
Chapman's pre 2000's music is an example of how Christian music could be authentic.
How to make a contemporary Christian song in the 2000's:
1: give every instrument an extreme echo, giving the song the effect of being played in a mega church.
2: use one drumming pattern; beat that bass drum at 2 beats per second and neglect every other drum and symbol in your kit. This will make all the kids think they are clubbing.
3: in every verse, at the end of every sentence, stretch that last word out for about 5 seconds. "God is greeeeaaaaaaat. God is gooooooooooood. He is poooooooweeeeeeerfuuuuuul."
4: don't be scared of that Yamaha synth track. lay that baby overtop of EVERY song, drowning out every other instrument.
5: don't write about life struggles or life issues or philosophy or doctrine; write every song as a worship song.
6: and lastly. If you ever sing the word "you", which will most likely be in every other verse, makes sure it sounds like "yaeeeeuuuu".
7: if you are above 50 years old, make sure to rock them skinny jeans and spiked hair, because that totally makes you look like a kid. We call this the "McCartney Relevance Syndrome".
@sandyhardy3419
This song 🎶 has a multitude of meanings….now that our Lord is Dancing 🕺 Again Jan/24
@JustShred015
SCC is hands down the best thing contemporary Christian music has produced. He's the perfect blend of technical prowess on the guitar, having a phenomenal singing voice, being able to write the catchiest melodies, and the most thoughtful and profound lyrics. No one has all of those categories mastered, but he's by far the closest. Today's music scene has no one comparable.
@adain9002
It.... kind of depends on genre and preference; I'm into everything from Casting Crowns to Carman to Skillet, so I love a lot of stuff, but I will certainly agree that he's one of the best.
@carlmclemore6104
@Adain well, at least two of those don't have terrible theology.
@adain9002
@Carlton McLemore I don't know which two you mean and I'm kind of afraid to ask.
@carlmclemore6104
@Adain Carman, in addition to terrible theology, lauded an actual heretic William Branham in his lyrics.
@adain9002
@Carl McLemore Interesting. I had no idea--not that I follow the nuances of artist's personal lives that much. And since I've never heard of Branham, it makes sense that I would miss that as well.
Learn something new every day, huh.
@whateverwhatever6496
One of the Best commercial Modern Day Christian Songs ever made!
@Meticularius
I just discovered Steven Curtis Chapman. I like this guy. The Holy Spirit is in his music.
@banjoboston6413
Man isn't that true. You can just feel God Speaking through his music!!!