I first heard this rendition of Lord of the Dance 11 weeks ago during the musical intermission of a podcast. I don't think I've heard it for three or four decades, and it celebrates an unanswered question I've long held that is absent in all three of the Abrahamic faiths.
The Torah, Bible and Quran are empty on human warmth, such as our God given and divine ability to laugh, embrace, sing, dance, hug, write, draw and play musical instruments.
It's took me 10 weeks to track down. I tried to find it from memory by jumping around YouTube versions, but nothing was quite hitting the spot. It's the bass singer that makes it memorable.
Eventually I found the recording by trawling through the archives, and then played it to my phone to get the details. It's The Salisbury Cathedral Choir.
Along the way I came across a name stealers version on Radio 3. Have a listen if you can to Aaron Copeland
It's the same right? I did a bit of digging and the melody was originally written by J Bracketts and called "Simple Gifts". It's a Shaker song written and composed in 1848, generally attributed to Elder Joseph Brackett from Alfred Shaker Village.
However, if you go to Aaron Copeland's website, he takes the credit for the work, and is awarded musical prizes and everything, yet makes no mention of the writer of the music. Look at him. An avuncular chap like him nicking someone's work and grafting the Shaker theme into the ballet he premiered it with.
Now then, do I conflate Zionists with the Sons and Daughters of Shem?
Absolutely not. What do you think I am. A pedestrian and odious racist?
One of my favourite past times is speaking another language.
