I realize it may be a folkie Mortal Sin to say this, but I think the lyrics of "Lord of the Dance" are trite - that's why they make me cringe.

As for Jesus condemning "holy people" Scribes and Pharisees, I think it's clear from the text of the New Testament that he was not condemning them for being Jewish - he was condemning hypocrites and their self-righteous condemnations of other people. Jesus spoke out against injustice, not against religious faith. Religious faith should be a good thing - but too often, it is dominated by severe, self-righteous, hypocritical people whose goal in life seems to be to find fault in other people. In their self-righteousness, many Christians fail to see they deserve the same condemnation Jesus directed at the Scribes and Pharisees.

But many people of faith don't deserve that condemnation, and I don't think Jesus twas talking about them.

Nonetheless, I think the Syndey Carter lyrics are trite and unimaginative. By the way, how many songs did he write to the tune of "Simple Gifts"?

-Joe-