The Dance - Ballad

The Dance One day while sitting on the ground, Pondering beauty all around. Shade was cool where hanging limbs, Sprawl from an old oak tree. Deep green the grass, and blue the sky, As wistful clouds slipped gently by, The sparrows serenade sun's warmth, While flowers dance in breeze. I looked beyond to mountains hazed, And I confess, my mind was dazed, While pondering my significance, And worthlessness I felt. Of all the people in the earth, Where was the value in my birth, How trivial my accomplishments, And on my knees I knelt. Father, may I ask of you, Reveal to me what's good and true, The underlying plan and purpose, That you have for me. Sometimes I wrestle doubt and fear, Failure often brings me tears, Shadowed valleys echo taunts, Saying I'm not free. Yet in my moment of despair, I heard a voice upon the air, And far off in the distance, I could see it was a man. And as the sound of singing grew, I noticed He was dancing too, His gaze was fixed upon me, Extending joyful hands. He wore a kilt about his waist, Now nearer, I could see his face, With laughter and a shining grin, His ruddy cheeks now gleamed. In moments He was next to me, Dancing 'round that old oak tree, A jig that bested any gifted, Irishmen I'd seen. Timelessly He danced and sang, With harmonies the valley rang, Then awe struck, I cried, Jesus? And He answered, "I am He"! Suddenly all mystery left, As He let out a peaceful breath, And looking straight into my eyes, He sat down next to me. While in the midst of peacefulness, He said, Look 'round at all of this, The sparrows flying here and there, Yet, have no lack of food. Of all the things that I have made, The trees that give the sparrows shade, And the flowers of these sunny fields, No kings are clothed as good! And yet, before I made the brook, Your name was written in a book, Before there were the sands of time, Your life and deeds I knew. Before the final price was paid, Before I rose up from the grave, Before earth and all it's wonders, I was dancing over you. Written By Russell Barton