====== The Merry, Merry Milkmaids ======
As in "The Playford Ball" Longways for 4 couples\\
Recording: {{ ::music:merry_merry_milkmaids-bnah5-21.mp3.zip |}}\\
{{ ::music:merry_milkmaids_085-ear-19.mp3.zip |}}
Part I
A1 1-4 Partners lead up a double and fall back a double.
5-8 Partners set and turn single.
A2 1-8 Repeat A1.
B1 1-2 1st and 3rd couples balance back and forward to partners.
3-4 1st and 3rd couples take two hands with partner and slip
down center one place while 2nd and 4th couples slip up
outside one place.
5-8 All fall back a double and move forward a double.
9-12 1st and 2nd couples right-hands across while 3rd and 4th
couples the same, once around.
B2 1-12 Repeat B1 to places, 2nd & 4th couples balance back and slip
down while 1st and 3rd couples slip up outside.
Part II
A1 1-8 Partners side, set and turn single.
A2 1-8 Repeat A1.
B1 1-4 1st man, followed by other men, cast down to left
to bottom place, skipping.
5-8 1st woman, followed by the other women, cast down
to right to bottom place, skipping.
9-12 Partners set and turn single.
B2 1-4 1st man, followed by other men, cast up to right to place.
5-8 1st woman the same, casting left.
9-12 Partners set and turn single.
Part III
A1 1-8 Partners arm right, set and turn single.
A2 1-8 Partners arm left, set and turn single.
B1 1-4 Men fall back a double, move forward a double.
5-12 Men straight hey for four, skipping.
B2 1-12 Women repeat B1.
====== The Merry, Merry Milkmaids ======
4 couple longways
Lead up a double and back; set and turn single. Repeat.
1st and 3rd couples balance back, meet, take both hands and
slip through 2nd or 4th couples who slip up;
all fall back and come forward a double;
R hands across in fours. Repeat, 2nd and 4th couples leading.
Side; set and turn single. Repeat.
Men cast to invert men's line; then women cast similarly;
set and turn single. Repeat, casting back up to places.
Arm R; set and turn single. Arm L; set and turn single.
Men fall back and come forward; men's hey.
Women fall back and come forward; women's hey.
NOTES:
Part I, B1, 2 1-4
The "balance back" is small, so that the balance forward brings dancers close enough to join hands.
Part II B1, 2
Many choose a skipping step for the casts.
Another fairly straightforward U-S-A dance (up a double, siding, and arming). This bouncy, lively tune offers many opportunities for skipping.
video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeMeH0drYY0