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Sydney Carter's Lord of the Dance

Songbook

A recently published collection including favourite songs and poems by Sydney Carter, with an Introduction by Rabbi Lionel Blue. A CD is also available.

Ref. B855
ISBN: 0 85249 855 1

This songbook can be ordered in our secure online shop

An icon of the modern folk movement, Carter, who wrote Lord of the Dance in 1963, lived to see this and others of his songs become popular classics, and a much-loved feature of religious worship of many denominations.

In recent years, Lord of the Dance has lent its name to a celebrated dance spectacular. But perhaps most heartening for Carter has been the huge success of his work among young people. Official figures released by CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) rate both Lord of the Dance and One More Step, also featured on this compilation, as among the top five favourite items now sung and played in British schools.

The striking portrait of Sydney Carter which features on the album was commissioned from Hans Schwarz in 1995 and presented to Sydney by his friends at a celebration of his 80th birthday at Westminster Abbey.

Stainer & Bell, Sydney Carter's publishers for around 30 years, are proud to release this album and songbook as a tribute to his unique place in British music, and as a concept album that refreshes his songs and poems.

RELATED LINKS

The Lord of the Dance FAQ containing frequently asked questions and the full authorised lyrics.
Sydney Carter Profile - About the man himself and details of the songbooks available.
Lord of the Dance online - now you can view, play, transpose and print this much-loved song

Contents

Poem: My Believing Bones
Lord of the Dance
Author’s Note on Lord of the Dance
Author’s Note on Present Tense
Present Tense
Poem: Doubting Tom
Pluck the Rose
Poem: What is Impossible
Poem: Run the Film Backwards
Come, Holy Harlequin
Judas and Mary
Author’s Note on Judas and Mary
Poem: The New Song
Poem: Reversal
Poem: By this Sea

Poem: Robinson Crusoe
Bird of Heaven
After Six and All Day Sunday
Poem: The Future in the Past
Green like the Leaves
Author’s Note on Shake and Shiver
Shake and Shiver
Poem: Christ’s Hospital
Poem: In Coram Fields
Poem: Interview
Creator of the Living
Julian of Norwich
One More Step
Author’s Note on One More Step
Like the Snow
Poem: This Black Light

CD Cover Featuring: The Swingle Singers; Martyn Joseph; Sarah-Jane Morris; Matt Redman and Sydney Carter

Ref. CD0087
Price: GBP £10.00

This CD can be ordered in our new secure online shop.

Sydney Carter's Lord of the Dance CD is a brilliant new compilation that matches the finest work of this much-loved songwriter with some of the leading lights in contemporary music.

The distinguished musicians and performers appearing on the disc include Sarah-Jane Morris, Why?, Norma Winstone, The Kingdom Choir, Martyn Joseph, Whirling Pope Joan, Matt Redman, Ian Shaw, Isla Blair, Carrie and David Grant and The Swingle Singers. Sydney Carter himself reads two of his own poems.

It has been the inspiration of producers Craig McLeish and Jeremy Taylor to intertwine the most popular songs - and a few unfamiliar gems - with some of Carter's searching poetry. With great sensitivity, the essential religious content of his words, whether sung or spoken, has been faithfully preserved, along with a sense of the music's origins in folksong and dance. At the same time, Carter's universal message about matters of doubt and faith is proclaimed in terms of the plenitude of contemporary sound resources, and the rich plurality of musical styles that is the hallmark of our present age.

Below are a few sound clips from the CD for you to sample. They are all standard "WAV" files - so download them and enjoy!

CD Tracks
All tracks written by Sydney Carter and © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London England.

Track	Dur.	Track	Dur.
1. My Believing Bones	0.36	14. By This Sea	0.37
2. Lord of the Dance lotd.mp3	3.55	15. Green like the Leaves	4.49
3. Doubting Tom	0.27	16. Future in the Past	1.01
4. Present Tense	2.20	17. Shake and Shiver	2.33
5. What is Impossible	0.56	18. Christ’s Hospital	1.38
6. Pluck the Rose	3.26	19. Creator of the Living	6.28
7. Run the Film Backwards	1.30	20. Reversal	0.34
8. Come Holy Harlequin	2.12	21. Julian of Norwich	3.31
9. Judas and Mary judas.mp3	3.42	22. In Coram Fields	0.34
10. The New Song	0.43	23. One More Step oms.mp3	3.38
11. Bird of Heaven	4.42	24. Interview	0.50
12. Robinson Crusoe	0.14	25. Like the Snow	6.50
13. After Six and All Day Sunday	0.46	26. This Black Light	0.48
		Total Playing Time	59'58''

Recording Details

POETRY
Performed by Isla Blair and Jeremy Taylor
Recorded and edited at Startrack Studios, Wapping. Engineer: Kirsten Woolf

POETRY
Performed by Sydney Carter
Recorded at Cedarsound. Engineer: M. Lindup

LORD OF THE DANCE
Clip: lotd.mp3
The Kingdom Choir: Wayne Ellington, Karen Gibson, Elaine Simpson, Colette Watson-Blythe
Arrangement and Programming: Craig McLeish
Vocal Arrangement: Karen Gibson Bass: Nick Beggs, Keyboards: Nicky Brown, Guitar: Sagat Guirey, Drums: Thomas Lang, Percussion: Dominic Scott-Barrett, Trumpet: Steve Dawson, Saxes: Mike Haughton, Trombone: Pete Thoms
Recorded and mixed at Startrack Studios, Wapping. Engineers: Michael Wolff and Anders Kålmark

PRESENT TENSE
The Swingle Singers
Arrangement: Craig McLeish
Recorded and mixed at Startrack Studios, Wapping. Engineers: Michael Woolf and D.D. Stader

PLUCK THE ROSE
Norma Winstone
Arrangement and Programming: Craig McLeishSpanish Guitar: Sagat Guirey, Flute: Mike Haughton, Fretless Bass: Nick Beggs, Electric Piano: Nicky Brown, Drums: Thomas Lang, Percussion: Dominic Scott-Barratt
Recorded and mixed at Startrack Studios, Wapping. Engineers: Michael Wolff and Anders Kålmark

COME HOLY HARLEQUIN
Why?
Arrangement and Backing Vocals: Craig McLeish
Vocals and Mandolin: Nick Parker, Guitar and Backing Vocals: Ant Parker, Bass: Steve Barnard, Drums: Andy Davis, Violin: Ed Harnett
Recorded and mixed at Warehouse Studios, Oxford. Engineers: Neil Costello, Nigel Palmer, Steve Watkins, Vicky Whitehead

JUDAS AND MARY
Clip: judas.mp3
Martyn Joseph
Arranged by Martyn Joseph and Craig McLeish
Produced and performed by Martyn Joseph at MJ’s Attic. Martyn Joseph appears courtesy of Grapevine Records.

BIRD OF HEAVEN
Sarah-Jane Morris
Arranged by Craig McLeish
Guitar: Matt Backer, Drums: Roy Dodds, Tenor Saxophone: Mornington Lockett, Piano: James Pearson, Acoustic Bass: Dudley Phillips, Percussion: Kwaku Dzidzornu
Recorded and mixed at Snake Ranch Studios, Chelsea. Engineer: Gerry O’Riordan. Sarah-Jane Morris appears courtesy of Irma Records.

AFTER SIX AND ALL DAY SUNDAY
Why?
Arranged by Why?
Vocals and Guitar: Ant Parker, Mandolin: Nick Parker, Bass: Steve Barnard, Drums: Andy Davis, Violin: Ed Harnett
Recorded and mixed at Warehouse Studios, Oxford. Engineers: Neil Costello, Nigel Palmer, Steve Watkins, Vicky Whitehead

GREEN LIKE THE LEAVES
Carrie and David Grant
Arrangement and programming: Craig McLeish
Bass: Nick Beggs, Keyboards: Nicky Brown, Guitar: Sagat Guirey, Flute: Mike Haughton, Drums: Thomas Lang, Rainsticks and Finger-clicks: Thomas Lang and Dominic Scott-Barratt
Recorded and mixed at Startrack Studios, Wapping. Engineer: Michael Wolff

SHAKE AND SHIVER
The Swingle Singers
Arrangement: Mark Williams
Egg shaker: Dominic Scott-Barrett

CREATOR OF THE LIVING
Matt Redman
Arrangement and programming: Craig McLeish
6-string Bass: Nick Beggs, Acoustic Guitar: Sagat Guirey, Tenor Saxophone: Mike Haughton, Drums: Thomas Lang, Piano and Electric Guitar: Craig McLeish
Recorded and mixed at Startrack Studios, Wapping. Engineers: Michael Woolf, Anders Kålmark and D.D. Stader

JULIAN OF NORWICH
Ian Shaw
Arrangement: Craig McLeish
Guitar: Matt Backer, Drums: Roy Dodds: Tenor Saxophone: Mornington Lockett, Piano: James Pearson, Acoustic Bass: Dudley Phillips, Percussion: Kwaku Dzidzornu
Recorded and mixed at Snake Ranch Studios, Chelsea. Engineer: Gerry O’Riordan

ONE MORE STEP
Clip: oms.mp3
Francis Holland Junior Choir
Soloists: Anna Gould, Jessica Lord, Clare Robson, Kayleigh Thadani
Arrangement and programming: Craig McLeish
Saxes: Ben Castle, Trombone: Scott Stroman, Drums and Percussion: Dominic Scott-Barratt
Recorded and mixed at Startrack Studios, Wapping. Engineers: Michael Woolf and D.D. Stader

LIKE THE SNOW
Whirling Pope Joan
Arrangement, Hurdy-Gurdy and Keyboards: Nigel Eaton, Vocal: Julie MurphyGuest artists:– Mandolin: Nick Parker, Viola: Ed Harnett, Drums: Dominic Scott-Barratt, Bass Guitar and Ocarina: Craig McLeish
Recorded and mixed at Warehouse Studios, Oxford. Engineers: Neil Costello, Nigel Palmer, Steve Watkins, Vicky Whitehead
Premastering and editing by Kirsten Woolf at Startrack Studios

Final mastering by Denis Blackham at Country Masters
Concept and sequencing by Jeremy Taylor
Produced by Jeremy Taylor and Craig McLeish
All songs and poems copyright Stainer & Bell Ltd, 23 Gruneisen Road, London, N3 1DZ England
All Rights Reserved
Cover portrait © 1995 Hans Schwarz. Painted to celebrate Sydney Carter’s 80th birthday. Reproduced by kind permission of the artist.