THE “DEATH DANCE.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2355, 15 November 1921, Page 4

THE “DEATH DANCE.”

ANCIENT GERMAN CUSTOM.

During the recent exhibition week at Lubeek, Germany, a revival of the ancient custom of performing the “Death Dance” took place in the church of St. Eegidius. A visitor, describing his experiences of it, says: —

On entering the church in the dim twilight he noted mysterious lights flashing from the gallery, while soft music was played. The curtains which had hidden the gallery were then drawn aside, and the old building, rich in carvings dating from the Renaissance, was lit up by a cold blue light. The music ceased, and then a tall undefined ghostly figure playing a flute was seen. Up the darkened nave a procession now appeared, (he players clad in medieval dresses. Heading the procession were the emperor and empress, the cardinal, the aristocrat, the doctor, the usurer, the nun, I he peasant, and the mother wifi! her child. The procession mounted lo Ihe gallery, and then disappeared in the dark.

The dealh flute ceased ils weird music and death ordered the emperor and I hen the remainder of I lie procession before the tribune, and condemned I hem all irrespective ol position. Death then danced with them, the dancers showing their terror or relief by realistic movements. The shrill accompaniment of a violin alone broke the silence. Finally Death convulsively gripped the child, the music became more weird, till at last the organ broke into a crash of chords, the players disappeared, and the church was once more flooded with light.