The Dance Hall (for Christopher Barnes)
The dance hall was closed
and converted to cinemas.
A niche film was showing.
The two gay guys,
the only audience, seated
in one of the numbered auditoriums
along the blank corridor
sloped like forgotten foyers,
decided to jump in their shiny shoes
and dance to the soundtrack,
flamboyantly staging
a new event, unseen, unknown,
unadvertised. They brought the Astoria
fleetingly back to life
from its old, sleeping decades
of glitter and decadence
back here to breath, steps, sighs.
2010 [recorded at Chicago Calling 2011]
poem by Sally Evans
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Dance, Dance, Dance.
Dance, Dance, Dance
Dance your sweat away
Dance the infectious beat
The hall is full
The music is great
Thumb, thumb, thumb
Our feet make a go
Eyes glitter a world so great
Voices smart and coy
over shoulders they whisper
Dance, Dance, Dance
The silvery moon is up
Stars glitter birds to nest
It is a sweet melody
A journey starts, Dance
Sweet melody and breath
A union!
A young one will see day
Dance, Dance, Dance.
poem by Charles Jagongo Ogola
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Decadence Dance
francis!
Francis! be careful!
Trying so hard to keep up with the joneses
Running a rat racing won by our noses
Always put one foot in front of the other
And dance to the beat of the dacadent drummer
Just buy a brand new pair of fred astaire shoes
Climbing to the top, never gonna stop
Its the same old song and one two three and dec-a-dance
Dance, dance
Dance, dance
Dancing to the dacadence dance, dance
Everybody decadancing
Dancing to the decadence
Dancing to the decadence dance
Its hard to stop once the music gets started
til the soles of your feet harden up like your heart did
Stepping in line with the sign of the timer
Seduced by the tune of the decadent dancer
Just buy a brand new pair of fred astaire shoes
Climbing to the top, never gonna stop
Its the same old song and one two three and dec-a-dance
Dance, dance
Dance, dance
Dancing to the dacadence dance, dance
Everybody decadancing
Dancing to the decadence
Dancing to the decadence dance
song performed by by Extreme
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When I dance
I dance for me,
Silent vibrations from within
Rhythm of the unseen,
I dance for me.
My steps follow their direction,
My heart-beat echoes their sound.
Some say I dance weird: they call me possessed.
If I dance raw, if I dance pure,
If I dance whirlwind, if I dance the spirits within,
No matter what them say,
I know I dance me.
I dance for me.
©2001
poem by Akachukwu Chukwuemeka
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Dance Dance Dance
After six hours of school I've had enough for the day
I hit the radio dial and turn it up all the way
I gotta dance (dance dance dance now the beat's really hot) right on the spot
(Dance dance dance right there on the spot)
The beat's really hot
(Dance dance dance now the beat's really hot)
Dance (dance) dance (dance) dance (dance) yeah!
When I feel put down I try to shake it off quick
With my guy by my side the radio does the trick
I wanna dance (dance dance dance now the beat's really hot) right on the spot
(Dance dance dance right there on the spot)
The beat's really hot
(Dance dance dance now the beat's really hot)
Dance (dance) dance (dance) dance (dance) yeah!
At a weekend dance we like to show up late
I play it cool when it's slow and jump it when it's fast
I gotta dance (dance dance dance now the beat's really hot) right on the spot
(Dance dance dance right there on the spot)
The beat's really hot
(Dance dance dance now the beat's really hot)
Dance (dance) dance (dance) dance (dance) yeah!
(Dance dance dance now the beat's really hot)
(Dance dance dance right there on the spot)
(Dance dance dance now the beat's really hot)
Dance (dance) dance (dance) dance (dance) yeah!
(Dance dance dance now the beat's really hot)
(Dance dance dance right there on the spot)
song performed by by Wilson Phillips
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dance, Dance, Dance
After six hours of school Ive had enough for the day
I hit the radio dial and turn it up all the way
I gotta dance (dance dance dance now the beats really hot) right on the spot
(dance dance dance right there on the spot)
The beats really hot
(dance dance dance now the beats really hot)
Dance (dance) dance (dance) dance (dance) yeah!
When I feel put down I try to shake it off quick
With my chick by my side the radio does the trick
I gotta dance (dance dance dance now the beats really hot) right on the spot
(dance dance dance right there on the spot)
The beats really hot
(dance dance dance now the beats really hot)
Dance (dance) dance (dance) dance (dance) yeah!
Ohby!
At a weekend dance we like to show up late
I play it cool when its slow and jump it when its fast
I gotta dance (dance dance dance now the beats really hot) right on the spot
(dance dance dance right there on the spot)
The beats really hot
(dance dance dance now the beats really hot)
Dance (dance) dance (dance) dance (dance) yeah!
(dance dance dance now the beats really hot)
(dance dance dance right there on the spot)
(dance dance dance now the beats really hot)
Dance (dance) dance (dance) dance (dance) yeah!
(dance dance dance now the beats really hot)
(dance dance dance right there on the spot)
song performed by by Beach Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chicago Samba
I live in chicago
A very windy city
But tonight I will dance the Chicago samba
Once again
But when I dance the chicago blues
I sweat like crazy
And I feel like a kid again
But when I hear the chicago samba being played by the local musiciams
In the streets of chicago I get very excited
Because I know that their music cam be heard also from faraway
And bring me back memories of home
poem by Aldo Kraas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Dance!
dance!
in the light of the dawn.
dance!
as if there were none.
dance!
to the call and the cry.
dance!
today you live, tomorrow
you die....
dance!
without holding back.
dance!
the color between white
and black...
dance!
for the gift of the pain.
dance!
in the sunlight, in the rain.
dance!
let two become one!
dance!
till all is said, and
all is done...
dance!
let your life be a prayer.
dance!
because you can, because
you care....
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Dance Of Life
the steps are easy to follow
if we only follow
repetitive in fact and
numbered and it is the same
music all over again
handed to us
but something happens
interpolations and
matters are interchanged
substituted and prostituted
the steps become harder to follow
in fact unpredictable and surprising
this dance becomes so interesting
somehow i get out from the waiting line
jump into the circle and dance
the strange music that is played
eclectic, exotic, magical
bathing in my own perspiration i signal to you
saying that i am beginning to like it
this is the dance of uncertainty where tomorrow
may not come
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Take Me Back To Chicago
Take me back to chicago
Lay my soul to rest
Where my life was free and easy
Remember me at my best
Take me back to chicago
Where music was all I had
I tried to be good as I could
And sometimes that made me sad
Take me back to chicago, to chicago
Why dont you take me back
Take me back, take me back
To chicago
I still dream of the lake of peacefulness
The warm summer breeze
cause my life was so much simpler then
Street corners and tastee freeze
Take me back to chicago
cause hustlins not my style
L.a. was just a bit too hard
I wish I could be a child
Livin back in chicago, in chicago
Why dont you take me back
Take me back, take me back
To chicago
Take me back to chicago
Lay my soul to rest
Where my life was free and easy
Remember me at my best
Take me back to chicago
cause hustlins not my style
L.a. was just a bit too hard
I wish I could be a child
Livin back in chicago, in chicago
Why dont you take me back
Take me back, take me back
To chicago
Take me back, take me back....
song performed by by Chicago
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Calling Back My Spirit
Something has been sleeping in me, weeping in me, creeping in me
Something has been crying in me, sighing in me, dying in me
In the righting of this wrong, I may have to fight a long awaited duel
Im calling back my spirit from you, Im calling back what is my own.
Something has been burning in me, churning in me, turning in me
Something has been weeping in me, creeping in me, awaking in me
And in the execution of this task, I may come to see my enemys mask
Slip and fall
Im calling back my spirit from you, Im calling back what my own
Im calling back, Im calling back,
Im calling back my spirit from you, Im calling back what is my own
The storm of your outrage seethes and whips around my brittle bones
Anger and violence erupt from your lips and your cover is blown!
I seek the sound of your name
I stand in my own footsteps and I claim my power
Im calling back my spirit from you, Im calling back what is my own
Im calling back, Im calling back, Im calling back, Im calling back,
Im calling back my spirit from you now!, Im calling back what is my own
song performed by by Waterboys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I'll teach you how to dance with me
Dance with me
My lovely rose
For today is my last chance
Dance for me
And swing me far
I'll never be coming back
And watch as the floor turns
And the people blur all out
And the dance floor turns out empty
With just me and my lovely rose
Push your heart to the limit
And as your breath begins to fade
Remember to push harder
For today is my last chance
I'm showing you to dance
To dance without a floor
To dance with just my words
Trust me, its the only way to dance
Take my hands
They'll guide you
Trust me
Don't lead
Take my love
It'll show you
The way
Don't look
Take my hips
They'll sway for you
And walk
Don't move
Take my breath
It'll give you
More strength
Don't breathe
Now, Take the dance
And go with it
For today is my last chance.
Mr. Bojangles
i knew a man bojangles and he'd dance for you in worn out shoes
Silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants, that old soft shoe
He'd jump so high, he'd jump so high, will he likely touch down ?
Mr. bojangles, mr. bojangles, dance.
I met him in a cell in new orleans, i was down and out
He looked to me to be the eye of age as he spoke right out
He talked of life, he talked of life, laughing slapped his leg stale
Mr. bojangles, mr. bojangles, dance.
He said the name bojangles and he danced a lick all across the cell
He grabbed his pants for a better stance, oh he jumped so high and he
Clicked up his heels
He let go laugh, he let go laugh, shook back his clothes all around
Mr. bojangles, mr. bojangles, dance, yeah, dance.
He danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs throughtout the south
He spoke with tears of 15 years of how his dog and him just travelled about
Hid dog up and died, he up and died, and after 20 years he still grieves
Mr. bojangles, mr. bojangles, dance.
He said "i dance now at every chance at honky-tonks for drinks and tips
But most of the time i spend behind these county bars, cause i drinks a bit"
He shook his head, yes he shook his head, i heard someone ask him, please?
Mr. bojangles, mr. bojangles, dance, dance, mr bojangles, dance.
song performed by by Bob Dylan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dance, Dance
Dance, Dance
To the music
Dance, Dance
To the beat
Dance, Dance
To the rhythm
Stomp your feet
Dance, Dance
Even though
Your tune they don't hear
Dance, Dance
For yourself
Have no fear
Dance, Dance
If you're alive
You're doing well
Dance, Dance
And grin
So the world can tell
You know you've got
A life to live
You're looking at the joy
This world can give
And you're dancing and laughing,
Won't be dragged down
You'd rather keep moving
Than stay with a frown
Dance, Dance
'Til it's played to the end
Dance, Dance
With a smile
My truly brave friend
poem by Atara Gedalowitz
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Magic Dance
You remind me of the baby
What baby? baby with the power
What power? power of voodoo
Who do? you do
Do what? remind me of the baby
I saw my baby, crying hard as babe could cry
What could I do
My babys love had gone
And left my baby blue
Nobody knew
What kind of magic spell to use
Slime and snails
Or puppy dogs tails
Thunder or lightning
Then baby said
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Put that baby spell on me
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Put that magic jump on me
Slap that baby, make him free
I saw my baby, trying hard as babe could try
What could I do
My babys fun had gone
And left my baby blue
Nobody knew
What kind of magic spell to use
Slime and snails
Or puppy dogs tails
Thunder or lightning
Then baby said
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Put that baby spell on me
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Put that magic jump on me
Slap that baby, make him free
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Put that baby spell on me (ooh)
You remind me of the baby
What baby? the baby with the power
What power? power of voodoo
Who do? you do
Do what? remind me of the baby
Dance magic, dance, ooh ooh ooh
Dance magic, dance magic, ooh ooh ooh
Dance magic
What kind of magic spell to use
Slime and snails
Or puppy dog tails
Thunder or lightning
Something frightening
Dance magic, dance
Dance magic, dance
Put that baby spell on me
Jump magic, jump
Jump magic, jump
Put that magic jump on me
Slap that baby make him free
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Jump magic, jump (jump magic, jump)
Jump magic, jump
Put that magic jump on me
Slap that baby
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic
Slap that slap that baby make him free
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
Dance magic, dance (dance magic, dance)
song performed by by David Bowie
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Shall We Dance?
Drop that long face
Come on have your fling
Why keep nursing the blues?
If you want this old world on a string
Put on your dancing shoes
Stop wasting time
Put on your dancing shoes
Watch your spirits climb
Shall we dance
Or keep on mopin?
Shall we dance
And walk on air?
Shall we give in to despair?
Or shall we dance with never a care?
Life is short
Were growing older
Dont you be an also-ran
Youd better dance, little lady
Dance, little man
Dance whenever you can.
song performed by by Ella Fitzgerald
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mr. Bojangles
I knew a man Bojangles
And he'd dance for you
In worn out shoes
With silver hair a ragged shirt
And baggy pants
He would do the old soft shoe
He would jump so high
Jump so high
Then he lightly touch down
He told me of the time he worked with
Minstrel shows travelling
Throughout the south
He spoke with tears of fifteen years
How his dog and he
They would travel about.
But his dog up and died
He up and died
And after twenty years he still grieved
He said "I dance now
At every chance in the Honky Tonks
For my drinks and tips
But most the time I spend
Behind these country bars
You see on I drinks a bit"
Then he shook his head
Oh lord when he shook his head
I could swear I heard someone say please
Mister Bojangles
Call him Mister Bojangles
Mister Bojangles come back and dance please
Come back and dance again Mr Bojangles
song performed by by Robbie Williams from Swing When You're Winning
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Refuse To Dance
Got your invitation to the dance
Wear your party dress
Maybe I was just an innocent
But I confess
I never even knew the song
The orchestra was playing
See the cuties in their party clothes
Oh it's getting warm
Off the shoulder cut into the hip
Like a uniform
Did you think I'd want to tow the line
Well now the line is broken
[Chorus]
Refuse to dance
Refuse to dance
Refuse to dance
Refuse to dance
You said you're such a pretty thing
You could make a mark
I'll teach you all the steps you'll need
Guide you through the dark
Suddenly I tought I knew the song
The orchestra was playing
[Repeat Chorus]
See how they follow
You say jump. They jump
You say turn. They turn
Look back in sorrow
I won't be there
[Repeat Chorus to fade]
song performed by by Celine Dion from The Colour Of My Love
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Delusions Of Grandeur
You don't care about nothing
So you don't care about love
If you want me to come back
You'd better change
You'd better give up talking about money
Begin thinking of love
If you want me to come back
You'd better change
You'd better change for the better
It cost more than dollars and cents
Take it from me there's - got to be
An end to this decadence
This decadence
You don't care about people
So you don't care about pain
If you want me to come back
You'd better change
You'd better change for the better
Start using some common sense
Take it from me there's - got to be
An end to this decadence
For decadence - is fatal
It's the beginning of the end
In self-defense
I cannot recommend
This decadence
You don't care about real life
You're too distant and strange
If you want me to come back
You'd better change for the better
It may be rather intense
Stop this caprice, you've got to cease
This fin-de-siecle pretence
For decadence - is fatal
It's the beginning of the end
In consequence
I cannot recommend
This decadence
This decadence
This decadence
This decadence
song performed by by Pet Shop Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Dance Your Life Away
* in a dance band competition fox-trotting with my girl
Dance, dance, dance all night
Dance your life away
High geared razzle dazzle, recession is the trouble
Dance, dance, dance all night
Dance your life away
Thirty hours on the floor and twenty partners left
Dance, dance, dance all night
Dance your life away
Feel so tired it must be a week
Nearly on my knees
Dance, dance, dance all night
Dance your life away
**
California, you always seem to have the sun
But I never really got near to it
And you try your hand at anything you know
Just to try and earn a dollar
--solo--
*
Repeat
** repeat
song performed by by Ufo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Skeleton Dance
The moon is on the graveyard,
The night is cool and still,
The wind blows gently,
Yes it blows where it will,
And the slightest sound,
From a place that's unknown,
Come do the skeleton dance,
And rattle my bones.
Do the skeleton dance
Jingle jangle bones,
Do the skeleton dance
All the way back home,
Do the skeleton dance
When you're all alone,
Do the skeleton dance
When you're done with your bones.
See the eyes of a werewolf,
Staring back at you,
A dozen or two skeletons,
Make up the rest of the crew,
The zombies stumble around,
Looking for their brains,
Ghost float like a mist,
And its about to rain.
Do the skeleton dance
Jingle jangle bones,
Do the skeleton dance
All the way back home,
Do the skeleton dance
When you're all alone,
Do the skeleton dance
When you're done with your bones.
The devil takes off his skin,
And plays the xylophone,
God plays the piano,
On a stool made of bone,
Jesus lights a lantern,
Buddha counts to three,
They all form a circle,
To do the skeleton dance with me.
poem by Blaine McCanless
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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