TOMMOROW SHALL BE MY DANCING DAY - A Carol

 So often when we think the word "Carol", we think only of Christmas. As any musicologist will tell you there is more than just Christmas implied in a Carol. Throughout the ages there have been Advent Carols, Lenten Carols, Easter Carols in addition to the Christmas Carol. And then, there are some Carols that transcend all the sacred seasons. My all time favorite Carol is "My Dancing Day" a 14th century Medieval carol that suggests perhaps that it was used at one of the "Mystery Plays" that traveled from village to village, town to town during that time. The carol begins with Jesus' Incarnation, goes through his birth, his growing to adulthood and all the events of his public ministry, his passion, dying, resurrection and ascension. This is the perfect carol for this night of the great Easter Vigil in which we have heard the multiple readings of the Hebrew Testament leading up to the birth of Jesus and then the Romans reading and, of course, the Gospel.

Happy Easter!

Tomorrow shall be my dancing day;
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance;

Chorus
Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love.

Then was I born of a virgin pure,
Of her I took fleshly substance
Thus was I knit to man's nature
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus

In a manger laid, and wrapped I was
So very poor, this was my chance
Between an ox and a silly poor ass
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus

Then afterwards baptized I was;
The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
My Father’s voice heard I from above,
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus

Into the desert I was led,
Where I fasted without substance;
The Devil bade me make stones my bread,
To have me break my true love's dance.
Chorus

The Jews on me they made great suit,
And with me made great variance,
Because they loved darkness rather than light,
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus

For thirty pence Judas me sold,
His covetousness for to advance:
Mark whom I kiss, the same do hold!
The same is he shall lead the dance.
Chorus

Before Pilate the Jews me brought,
Where Barabbas had deliverance;
They scourged me and set me at nought,
Judged me to die to lead the dance.
Chorus

Then on the cross hanged I was,
Where a spear my heart did glance;
There issued forth both water and blood,
To call my true love to my dance.
Chorus

Then down to hell I took my way
For my true love's deliverance,
And rose again on the third day,
Up to my true love and the dance.
Chorus

Then up to heaven I did ascend,
Where now I dwell in sure substance
On the right hand of God, that man
May come unto the general dance.
Chorus