Dancin' at the Policeman's Ball

When I started this blog, I named it for a lyric from a song by Mark Heard (1951-1992), the line being, "it's still the goodest news he's ever heard", referring to the gospel, of course.  You can find that post right here.

Here's another song by Mark Heard.  It's about people in the church who are adherents to an "ism"; they are practitioners of 'Christianism', going through the motions - 'dancing at the Policeman's ball' - but aren't truly gospel-people.  They aren't consumed by the love of God for them in Christ on the cross and therefore, they aren't focused on taking the message of the cross to others who desperately need to hear it - those 'criminals who are headed for a big fall'.  This song is a critique of those who, insulated within the walls of the Christian sub-culture, look down their noses at the lost world around them - 'the city outside' - but don't venture into the world with the gospel to do anything about it - 'nobody taking the law to the streets tonight'.  And everyday people die and more and more people go to an eternity under God's wrath rather than under his mercy. 

Mark Heard was a true poet.  When I first heard this song as a young teen, I was seriously convicted.  It's 3 minute message hit me harder than any amount of youth retreat guilt trips ever did.  Those guilt trips wore off...this song lyric still echoes through my brain, still pricks my heart.

  DANCING AT THE POLICEMAN'S BALL by Mark Heard   You hit the floor at the sound of the band
With a partner in your hand
Restless and breathless you dance the night away
Did I hear you say it is your aim
For every night to be just the same
And you hope the city outside's gonna be okay

Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Move your feet while the city sleeps
Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Dancing at the Policeman's ball

I saw you smile when I heard you say
"A life of crime just doesn't pay,
And the criminals are heading for a big fall!"
And when I asked to see your badge
You said, "Man, I don't need to flash no badge-
Can't you see I'm dancing at the Policeman's ball?"

Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Move your feet while the city sleeps
Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Dancing at the Policeman's ball

In precinct five, ten people died
In precinct six, it was twenty-five
Nobody taking the law to the streets tonight
Did I hear you say it is your aim
For every night to be just the same
And you hope the city outside's gonna be okay

Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Move your feet while the city sleeps
Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Dancing at the Policeman's ball
Dancing at the Policeman's ball

From Victims of the Age