From the preceding quotations, it will sufficiently appear, 1. That dancing was a religious act, both of the true and also of idol worship. 2. That it was practised exclusively on joyful occasions, such as national festivals or great victories. 3. That it was performed by maidens only. 4. That it was performed usually in the day-time, in the open air, in highways, fields, or groves.
DR LYMAN BEECHAM’S tract on dancing published by The American Tract Society, cited in May Christians Dance? by Jas. H. Brookes
Somewhere between twelve and thirteen, I formed a gang of three with Janey and Cara. For the first time, I felt like a girl. It was as if I couldn’t have been a girl on my own or with my sister but only if I were connected to other girls. Alone I existed more and more in a perpetual state of embarrassment but with my friends I was a girl, no, we were GIRLS and we went forth into the world arms linked, making noise.
Were we trying to get attention or to scare everyone else away? We did not smile, we guffawed. We did not sigh, we shrieked. We were never irritated, we were enraged. When we sang, it was as loudly as we could. It was not meant to be serious or beautiful and while sometimes it might have been to make ourselves feel safe in the dark as we made our way home, we were just as loud in daylight.
If we sang out of trepidation or the need for release, the experience was nonetheless one of joy, as was dancing. I danced in line with my friends and alone in front of the mirror, as a rehearsal of love. It was preparation for saying ‘Look at me’ and ‘Yes I will’ and ‘I know how’.
There are times when we need the rocket fuel of singing and dancing to power us through an act of blind faith. Falling in love is one of those times, when we need to move into a phase of enchantment with enough force so that when things cool and the air clears, we are locked into that person, that love. We fall in love and we sing as we walk down the street; we turn up the music and dance.