His music, very dynamic and colorful, has been categorized as World Music, Jazz, New Age or even Classical; two of his albums were number 1 on the Billboard charts simultaneously in the categories Classical, Jazz, Pop and Crossover for many weeks. His primary instrument is an electrically modified harp of his own design, but he also plays a wide variety of instruments from around the world, including the Chinese guzheng. His albums feature many musicians performing his compositions with him, ranging from simple solos to suites for orchestra and soloists. His music is mostly instrumental but he has occasionally forayed into vocal music as well. Vollenweider's has been recording music since 1979, and throughout his career has released a total of 24 albums.
Dancing with the Lion
Andreas Vollenweider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a land not so far away
Right and wrong were not quite so hard to know
And black and white were not so gray
Times have changed and now it seems
Conscience has gone the way of the dinosaur
But I believe it's still alive and well today
In the hearts of those who will stand up and say
Living my life with conscience and conviction
I don't want to see the truth ignored
So I've gotta keep on dancing
I've gotta keep on dancing with the dinosaur
Gonna dance with the dinosaur
There's a banner waving saying tolerance will set you free
It's the latest thing
While the consequences it leaves behind
Are like a ball and chain
But there's a voice in everyone called conscience
That's been around since God created man
And as we learn to listen to its whispering
We'll find the greatest freedom when we stand up and sing
Baby, I'm dancing with the dinosaur
Living my life with conscience and conviction
I don't want to see the truth ignored
So I've gotta keep on dancing
You gotta keep on dancing with the dinosaur
Right is right and wrong is wrong just like it has been all along
We cannot sit by and see conscience become history
So come on, get up and dance
Dance this dance with me
Gonna keep on dancing, gonna keep on dancing with the dinosaur
Gonna keep on dancing, gonna keep on dancing with the dinosaur
I'm dancing with the dinosaur
Living my life with conscience and conviction
I don't want to see the truth ignored
So I've gotta keep on dancing
Oh, we gotta keep on dancing with the dinosaur
I'm dancing with the dinosaur
Living my life with conscience and conviction
I don't want to see the truth ignored
So I've gotta keep on dancing
Oh, we gotta keep on dancing
Oh, we gotta keep on dancing with the dinosaur
Dancing with the dinosaur
Dancing with the dinosaur
Gonna live my life with conscience
Gonna live my life with conviction
Keep on dancing with the dinosaur
Don't want to see the truth ignored
Don't want to see the patch with conviction
Gonna keep on dancing, gonna keep on dancing with the dinosaur
Gonna keep on dancing, gonna keep on dancing with the dinosaur
Gonna keep on dancing, gonna keep on dancing with the dinosaur
Gonna keep on dancing, gonna keep on dancing with the dinosaur
The song "Dancing with the Lion" by Andreas Vollenweider is a call to bring back morality and conscience in a world where they seem to be disappearing. The song speaks of a time when right and wrong were easy to discern, but now it seems that conscience has gone the way of the dinosaur. The lyrics encourage listeners to hold on to their convictions and continue to live their lives with conscience, even when it seems like the world is telling them to let go. The metaphor of dancing with the dinosaur represents standing up for what is right, even if it seems like an outdated concept in a world that values tolerance above all else.
The song also speaks of the consequences of the current state of society. The banner of tolerance is waved as the latest thing, but the consequences of ignoring one's conscience are like a ball and chain. The lyrics urge the audience to listen to the voice of conscience that has been around since the beginning of time and find the greatest freedom in standing up for what is right. The final call is to keep dancing with the dinosaur, to live one's life with conscience and conviction, and to never stop fighting for the truth.
Overall, "Dancing with the Lion" is a powerful call to action to stand up for one's beliefs and never let go of one's conscience, even in the face of a society that seems to value tolerance above all else.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time, not so long ago
In the past, which was pretty recent
In a land not so far away
In a place that wasn't too distant
Right and wrong were not quite so hard to know
Distinguishing between good and bad was relatively easy
And black and white were not so gray
Differentiating between right and wrong wasn't so confusing
Times have changed and now it seems
Currently, things have become different
Conscience has gone the way of the dinosaur
People's sense of morality has become extinct
But I believe it's still alive and well today
The songwriter thinks that it still exists
In the hearts of those who will stand up and say
People who express their beliefs and take a stand possess it
I'm dancing with the dinosaur
I'm living a moral life
Living my life with conscience and conviction
I lead a life based on my moral principles and beliefs
I don't want to see the truth ignored
I don't want it when people overlook facts
So I've gotta keep on dancing
Therefore, I'll continue to live morally
Gonna dance with the dinosaur
I'm going to continue living a moral life
There's a banner waving saying tolerance will set you free
People often associate tolerance with freedom
It's the latest thing
It's a contemporary concept
While the consequences it leaves behind
The impact it has
Are like a ball and chain
Is a constraint or obstacle
But there's a voice in everyone called conscience
However, everyone possesses a sense of morality
That's been around since God created man
It's a characteristic that has been present since the beginning of time
And as we learn to listen to its whispering
If we pay attention to it
We'll find the greatest freedom when we stand up and sing
We'll find bigger freedom when we express and fight for our beliefs
Baby, I'm dancing with the dinosaur
I'm living a moral life
Right is right and wrong is wrong just like it has been all along
It's really as simple as always
We cannot sit by and see conscience become history
We can't let the concept of morality become extinct
So come on, get up and dance
Therefore, let's start living morally
Dance this dance with me
Join me in living a moral life
Gonna keep on dancing, gonna keep on dancing with the dinosaur
I'll keep living a moral life
Gonna live my life with conscience
I'll lead a moral life based on my beliefs
Don't want to see the truth ignored
I don't want to overlook facts
Don't want to see the patch with conviction
I don't want to ignore my conscience
Contributed by Henry V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mau5661
List of songs:
0:00 Unto The Burning Circle
3:49 Dancing With The Lion
7:49 Hippolyte
9:00 Dance Of The Masks
14:50 Pearls & Tears
19:56 Garden Of My Childhood
21:44 Still Life
27:22 And The Long Shadows
31:02 See, My Love...
34:05 Silver Dew, Golden Grass
35:04 Ascent From The Circle
@manuelcamejo6741
a quien pueda interesar.
Lista de canciones:
0:00 Hacia el círculo ardiente
3:49 Bailando con el león
7:49 Hipólita
9:00 Danza de las máscaras
14:50 Perlas y lágrimas
19:56 Jardín de mi infancia
21:44 Naturaleza muerta
27:22 Largas sombras
31:02 Mira, mi amor...
34:05 Rocío de plata, hierba dorada
35:04 Ascenso desde el círculo
@grandpa2001
You see. A harp is still relevant as a musical instrument. Andreas has proven that several times over. Dancing with the lion was the first album I listened thru all the way. I was almost crying at the end. Thanks Andreas
@glaucialiberali4290
I got this album in 1990 and I loved it so much! So inspiring…Thanks for reminding me of these songs and reviving good moments from 30 years ago! Bravo!!
@mrkroeger
Great record. Been listening for over 30 years...
@adriaunderwood1416
His music led me to Kitaro tangerine dream and other amazing musicians with that special kind of magic in their arrangements.
@teresacristinamissflute
Me too! I have a cassete tape , but my tape deck ...is gone! So , YouTube comes save me! 🎶🎶🎶☺️
@teresacristinamissflute
Me too! I have a cassete tape , but my tape deck ...is gone! So , YouTube comes save me! 🎶🎶🎶☺️
@robertmcalister160
Saw him perform at the 'Greek Theatre' in Hollywood about 1987. The musicians were muti-instrumentalists running from one instrument to the other. As a bass player I kept thinking "who's playing bass?" ------I finally figured out that it was Andreas' left hand!!!!
@tinaconti2542
This album brings back some good memories. Now I am using it as my background while studying for school. Timeless.
@michar9242
its like secret story at ancient past
@deborahgregory998
This music just takes you to that place , and you just smile .