Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day

Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day is a song that may date back as far as the medieval mystery plays. The mystery plays were often performed on a portable stage by traveling players. The stage contained earth in the middle, and heaven and hell on the sides. Devils and angels proceeded from their respective sides to entice the sinner to his final destination. This song, however, is narrated by Jesus himself, and invites the sinner into the mystery of his life, death, and resurrection.

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;

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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.

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In a manger laid, and wrapped I was

So very poor, this was my chance

Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass

To call my true love to my dance.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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