Dancing Plague of 1518 - Collaboration With Hat Bueckert

Collaboration with Hat Bueckert HB lines 1, 3, stanza 2, 4, lines 21, 23, 25 DD lines 2, 4, stanza 3, 5, lines 22, 24 A plague cursed, until death they dance Until forever lasts this plight Moving hypnotic deep in trance Onlookers revel at the sight From days to weeks, from dawn til' night Hysteria spread the expanse Collapse in exhaust by firelight A plague cursed, until death they dance Can I dance myself free perchance Repent and be rid of this smite I bleed amidst this endless prance Until forever lasts this plight Exhaustion sets with hope just slight Up to Saint Vitus' healing glance Limbs swinging limp, glazed eyes contrite Moving hypnotic deep in trance Free me of sin, my soul enhance Crosses on shoes to quell the fright Quicken the end, I beg advance Onlookers revel at the sight They fell in numbers, losing might By now all but God looked askance Dance to rest and read the last rite All life is but a game of chance A plague cursed