“Lord of the Dance” lyrics by Marc Gunn, Bard 8/5/2004, music traditional Shaker hymn called “Simple Gifts” and parody of “Lord of the Dance”

Performed by Marc Gunn
From CD: Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers

I pounced in the morning when the world was begun.
I pounced on the moon and the stars all for fun.
I leaped down from heaven, and I pounced on the earth.
When I pounced my first mouse, I had my birth.

Pounce, pounce, wherever you may be
I am lord of the pounce, said he.
I'll run under feet, wherever you may be.
And I'll leap on you in the pounce, said he.

I pounced on the papyrus of the Egyptians
They wouldn't play so I stole their feather pens
I pounced on the fish caught by James and John
They fed me fish then the pounce went on.

I pounced on the Sabbath, rubbed my head against the lame.
Many people shook their head, said this feline was insane.
I may nap after pouncing, do not think I am gone.
For I just saw a rat, so the pounce goes on.

I and my lady meowed a song across the plain
The birds came down, and we pounced on each of them.
On the bedchamber floor, I laid my carrion.
Then I raced out the door and I pounced again.

I dog jumped down, so I leapt up high.
I have nine lives that will never, never die.
I'll pounce on you though you bark at me
I am the Lord of the Pounce, said he.

Chords Key C

[C]I pounced in the morning when the world was begun.
I [G]pounced on the moon and the stars all for fun.
I [C]leaped down from heaven, and I pounced on the earth.
When I [G]pounced my first mouse, I [C]had [G]my [C]birth.

[C]Pounce, pounce, wherever [G]you may [C]be
I am lord of the [G]pounce, said he.
I'll [C]run under feet, wherever you may be.
And I'll [G]leap on you in the [C]pounce, [G]said [C]he.

Background

This parody of “Lord of the Dance” was inspired by my friend, Pam Owens, known as Mother Pockets. I thought her idea of “Lord of the Pounce” was easy to parody for my “Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers” CD. And it was. But as I was studying the different lyrics, I realized there was a great “circle of life” story that could be told.

Domesticated cats have been a part of our human culture for centuries. So I decided to make this song tell the story of cats as a part of the human experience, but with heavenly beginnings that will never end.

Lord of the Dance Videos

Kitty pounce video from a cat loving fan

performed live at AnachroCon in 2017

performed live at Dragon Con in 2011