The tune (to Lord of the Dance) is an adaptation of the Shaker tune 'Simple Gifts', but is accepted and acknowledged as a separate copyright in its own right.

Simple Gifts has been adapted or arranged many times by folksingers and composers. Probably the best known example is by English songwriter Sydney Carter, who adapted the Shaker tune for his song Lord of the Dance, first published in 1963.

the tune was composed in 1848 by (Elder)Joseph Brackett Jr and is described as a Quick Dance or Dancing song.