“Favor of a Dance” lyrics and music Marc Gunn
Performed by Marc Gunn
From CD: Come Adventure With Me
This is the social event of the season
It's not my game, but you give me reason
You dance with kindness a-round the floor
While your escort seems ready for war
His hand is tight around your arm.
Your dignity he’s doing harm
I see you flinch. To restore your calm,
I will break the rules with all of my charm
* Give me the favor of a dance
Give me the favor of a dance
She spoke of your generosity
Given that, then won’t you please
Give me the favor of a dance
He lets us dance though it’s not my game.
Then cuts it short and puts you to shame
Lay into him and we dance on the floor.
We draw our swords, ready for war.
Give me the favor of a dance
Give me the favor of a dance
You spoke with such animosity
Given that, then won’t you please
Give me the favor of a dance
I leave him lying in a puddle of shame
It might be fun but this ain’t my game
The cruel rules of your society
Are different than those for me
Give me the favor of a dance
Give me the favor of a dance
We prefer generosity
Given that, then won’t you please
Give me the favor of a dance
Chords Key F
[F]This is the social [Bb]event of the season
[F]It's not my game, but [Bb]you give me [C]reason
[F]You dance with kindness [Bb]a-round the floor
While your [F]escort seems [C]ready for [F]war
[F] Give me the favor of a dance
Give me the favor of a dance
[Bb] She spoke of your gene[C]rosity
[F] Given that, then [Dm]won’t you please
[Bb] Give me the [C]favor of a [F]dance
BACKGROUND
“Shindig” is a fantastic episode of Firefly. However, I never realize how well written it was until Mikey Mason and I recorded the latest episode of our songwriting podcast In the ‘Verse.
The episode is about respectability, pageantry, and the games we play. It's about following and breaking the rules.
“Favor of a Dance” is about a man who doesn't want to play the game. He tries, but he's prevented from dancing with a woman he respects. So he fights for her favor and wins. However, he realizes this is not a game he enjoys. He just wants to dance, by his own rules.
NOTES
“Favor of a Dance” lyrics and music Marc Gunn
Tempo: 140
Marc Gunn: autoharp, vocals
Vicki Swan: flute
Jonny Dyer: guitar
Jamie Haeuser: bkg vocals
