The Devil of the Dance

I danced in the morning when the gallops had begun
I danced with the clockers under showers and the sun
I came up from Hades and I danced on the turf
In Lexington I had my birth

Dance, then, your tickets, may they bleed
I am the Devil of the Dance, said he
And I lead you all in places made of greed
And I lead you all in the dance, said he

I danced for the wealthy and I danced for the poor
I danced on the dirt for the racing raconteur
My prominence spread from coast to coast
And I then reveled in the losses felt most

Dance, then, your tickets, may they bleed
I am the Devil of the Dance, said he
And I lead you all in places made of greed
And I lead you all in the dance, said he

I danced for the writers and the families
They wouldn't dance, they wouldn't follow me
I danced for a gambler named Drop Jaw Jack
He placed his wager and he danced right back

Dance, then, your tickets, may they bleed
I am the Devil of the Dance, said he
And I lead you all in places made of greed
And I lead you all in the dance, said he

I danced on a Saturday, the first in May
The cash rolled in unlike any other day
The amateurs cursed, and wept, they sighed
Monetary pain is felt far and wide

Dance, then, your tickets, may they bleed
I am the Devil of the Dance, said he
And I lead you all in places made of greed
And I lead you all in the dance, said he

They prayed to the heavens as they bargained on the earth
It's the last bet I'll make. Take my word for what it's worth!
So I smiled, and I laughed, and I danced on the town
For your trifle little win will keep the Devil coming 'round

Dance, then, your tickets, may they bleed
I am the Devil of the Dance, said he
And I lead you all in places made of greed
And I lead you all in the dance, said he


Hope you've enjoyed this satirical take on Sydney Carter's 1963 Lord of the Dance lyrics. 
The hymn itself is based on an 1848 Shaker melody by Joseph Brackett known as Simple Gifts.