Table of Contents
BRITISH SORROW
Tune: Duke of Perth
The dance from Saltator manuscript.
Lead down two couple, up again, cast down one, Right hands across and round with third couple, Left hands across and round with second couple, Hands six round, Half right and left, set, half right and left back again.
Modern-day translation:
Couples | - 4 - 7 etc. active. Do NOT cross over Active couples down the outside below two couples. Up the center with partner and cast off one couple. Right hand star once around with the couple below. Left hand star once around with the couple above. To the right circle six hands once around. The top two couples right and left four.
SPANKING JACK
Tune: Cincinnati Hornpipe
The dance from Griffith’s manuscript:
First and second couples cross hands half round, back again. Lead down in the middle, back, cast off, Four hands round with the third couple, Right hand and left with the first.
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over
Top two couples right hand star half around. TO oye, Same two couples left hand star half round to place. : Active couples down the center with partner. Same way back and cast off one couple. Active couple circles four hands round with next below. Top two couples right and left four.
This contra may be terned into an “every-other-couple once the pattern is well set. Most groups like it better as dunle-minor. It certainly keeps you on your toes and is definitely not a dance for the love-sick nor the anwary’
The name of this dance has nothing to do with corporal punishment but is the name of a certain flag flown by our U.S. Navy ships
ELEGANCE AND SIMPLICITY
Tune: Reilly's Own
The dance from the Dedham manuscript:
First couple mullinett half round with the second couple; then half round with the third, Half right hand and left with the third; then half right hand and left with the second, and that will bring you back to your places, First chassa in the middle, rigadoon, Back and cast off one couple, Right hand and left at top.
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over.
First two couples a right hand star half round. First and third couples a left hand star half round. Same two couples half right and left. First and second couples half right and left. First couple down the center, same way back and cast off one couple. Same two couples right and left four.
I have omitted the rigadoon figure though leaving it in the original descrip- tion for the pure of heart. Here’s how you do it: “Leap onto the left foot, ex- tending the right foot to the side; leap onto the right foot, extending left foot 0 the side; leap, landing with both feet together; make a small jump, landing with both feet together”. This is one way to dance a rigadoon step. I am not convinced that it is absolutely correct, but offer it as an example. I cannot see today’s dancer accepting this figure with enthusiasm!
FISHER’S HORNPIPE
Music: “Fisher's Hornpipe” played by Ralph Page’
The dance from Griffith’s manuscript:
Cast off back, up again Lead down the Middle, up again, and cast off one Co., Hands cross at Bottom, halfway, back again Right and left at Top.
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross on
Active couples down the outside and back. Active couples down the center with partner and back, cast off, Right hand star with the couple below, left hand star back. Active couples right and left four with the couple above.
THE PLEASURE OF PROVIDENG
“Davy, Davy Nick-Nock™
The dance from the Griffith manuscript.
Cast off two Co. - come at Top through the Middle, and second and third Co. Hands across - back again - first Co. lead lead down the Middle - up again - cast off one Co. - right and left at Top.
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
Active couples down the outside of the set past two couples, Up the center of the set to original places. Active couples balance each other. Second and third couples a right hand star once around, return to place with a left hand star. Active couples down the center and back, cast off one couple Top two couples right and left four.
MISS ARNOLD'S DELIGHT
Brisk Young Lads & Sixpenny Girl Medley”
The Dance from the Griffith manuscript:
Cast off two Co. - up again - second and third Co. four Hands - so back again - first Co. lead down the Middle - up again - and cast off one Co. - turn your Partner with your right hand - so back again with the left,
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
Active couples down the outside of the set and return to place, Couples two and three circle four hands around, then circle back to original places. Active couple down the center and back, cast off one couple. Active couple turn by the right hand once round, back by the left.
THE HUMOURS OF BOSTON
Music: “Mason's Apron” played by Sean Maguire
The dance from Ww. J's manuscript:
Chasse outside, back, Four hands round, Lead down the middle, up, cast off 1 couple, 6 Hands round.
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
Active couples down the outside and back to place. Circle four hands round and back with the couple below. Active couples down the center and back with partner. Cast off one couple. Six hands once around.
La BELLE CATHERINE
“Quadrille des vieux'
The dance from W. J.’s manuscript:
Three couples balance, right and left at top Lead down the middle, up Cast off one couple 4 hands round, back again,
Modern-day translation, slightly rearranged:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
Top three couples balance partners, Top two couples half right and left. Top three couples balance partners again, Top two couples half right and left to place, Active couples down the center and back. Cast off one couple. Four hands round with the couple below and back to place,
in this dance the right and left is accomplished with the active man and the inactive lady bonding the pivot as they turn as couples to face center of the set. Have faith! That's the way it was done in this danes. The old rule used to be “if you have someone on your right YOU hold the pivot and back around in place.”
DORCHESTER MARCH
“Behind the Old Briar Patch”
The dance from the Muzzey manuscript:
Cast off two couple, back again, cross over 2 couple & lead up in the middle cast off one couple, hands four round at bottom & cross four at the top
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
Active couples down the outside and back. Active couples cross over and Down the outside below two couples, up the center with Partner cross to own side to cast off one couple. Top three couples circle six hands once around. Then circle four with the couple below. Left hand star with the couple above.
WAYS OF THE WORLD
Tune: Lord MacDonald's Reel
The dance from the Muzzey manuscript.
1st Gent. haize on the lady’s side & the Ist lady on the Gent side Lead down the middle - up - cast off one couple, 4 hands half round - back - right & left.
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1-4-7 etc, active. Cross over before
starting the dance.
Top three couples on each side do a figure eight. Active couple down the center and back with partner. Cast off one couple and six hands once around. Top two couples right and left four.
MADAM, YOU ARE THE ONE
The dance from W. D.’s manuscript:
First couple change sides, chasse down one couple, then chasse up inside of second couple and cast off into your places, Then the lady hays with upper couple, at the same time the gent with the third couple, Then mullinet with third couple, rigadoon, back and rigadoon Right and left at top.
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
Active couple change places, down the outside below two couples, up the center with partner, cross to place and cast off one couple. Active lady does a figure eight with the couple above (second) while at the, same time the active man does a figure eight with the couple below (third.) Active couple makes a right hand star with third couple once round, the, back to place. Top two couples right and left four.
THE MARKET LASS
Tune: Glenn Towle
The dance from the Burbank manuscript:
Down outside, and cross below 3d couple and cast up one Six balance, gentleman sasha to the left, and place himself between the 3rd couple, the lady sasha to the left and place herself between the 3rd cpl Six balance, give your partner your right hand and swing round so as to stand in a right position to right and left at top
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
Active couples go down the outside of the set, Cross over and come up one couple. Forward six and back. Right hand to partner, turn three-quarters round and Forward six and back again, Turn partner three-quarters round into place below one couple, Right and left four,
VILLAGE MAID
The dance from the Nichols manuscript:
The first couples balance and allamande quite round: first couple shasse in the middle, up and cast off; three ladies swing half round and back. and the three gentlemen do the same, at the same time; right and left at top,
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
Couples one and two balance partners, then allamande once round Active couple down the center with partner and back to cast of round the second couple, First, second and third ladies three hands once around: the other way back Tart second and third gentlemen do the same at the same time Top two couples right and left four.
MISS PARKER'S FANCY
Tune “Cock O' the North“.
The dance from the Shepley manuscript;
Cast off 2 couple, back again, down jn the middle, up again, cast off one couple Lady set with 2d couple & Gent. with 3rd couple Hands quite round with the same Right and left at top
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7, etc., active. Do NOT Cross over,
Active couples down the outside and return to place, Same active couples down the center with partner ang back. Cast off one couple Active lady balances with the second couple; at the same time the active man balances with the third couple, Circle three hands around on each side. Top two couples right and left four
THE Lilly
The dance from the manuscript:
Chasse outside, rigadoon; back, rigadoon, then chasse halfway with se- cond couple, rigadoon; and mullinets back then six hangs half round and back, right and left at top,
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7, etc., active. Do NOT Cross over,
Active couples down the outside and back. Top two couples pass through, turn alone, a left hand star to original side of the set, Top three couples circle six hands once around. Top two couples right and left four.
PICKERING'S REMOVE
tune Starr Label Reel
The dance from Saltator manuscript:
First and third couples balance together The first down the outside, the third up in the middie Balance as before Third down the outside, the first up in the middle, brise Six hands half round and back Right and left at top
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7, etc., active. Do NOT Cross over,
First and third couples balance up and down the set, First couple down the outside, third couple up the center, Same two couples balance again up and down the set. First couple up the center, cast off; third couple down the outside to original place. Circle six hands once around. Top two couples right and left four.
JENNY NETTLE
tune “Miller’s Reel”
The dance from Saltator manuscript:
The first Gentleman down the outside, up the middle, while the third Lady goes up the outside and down the middle Meeting, they swing quite round to their places The first Lady and third Gentleman do the same The first couple down the middle, up, cast off Six hands half round and back
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over,
First gentleman down the outside past two couples, while the third lady walks up outside the set past two couples. The man walks up the set to meet third lady who walks down the set, They meet, join right hands and turn half round and retire to places, Their partners do the same, Active couples down the center and back, cast off, Couples one, two and three circle six hands round,
THE BOLD HIGHLANDER
tune “The Hamilton Rant”
The dance from the Saltator manuscript:
Mullinett with your right hand half round First couple down the outside, back, and Mullinett with your left hand to your places Down the middle, up, cast off, Right and left.
* “mullinett” is a corruption of the French “moulinette” (little windmill) which is the french term for star or hands across.
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active, Dg NOT cross over
Couples one and two make a right hand star, half way round, Active couple down the outside of the set on opposite side ang return Same two couples make a left hand star, half way round to places, Active couple down the center with partner and back. Cast off one couple. Top two couples right and left four.
This dance may be done as a duple minor if you wish to. In fact it's quite nice with alternate couples active; it keeps evervhody on their toes.
THE Wish to Please
music ‘Maple Leaf jig*
The dance from the Saltator Manuscript.
Four hands at the top half round and back First lady and second Gentleman swing quite round, first Gentleman and second lady Swing quite round First couple down the middle, up, cast off Lead down the outside and back
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over.
Couples one and two circle four hands round and back. First lady and Second gentleman turn with both hands once around, Their partners do the same, Actives down the center and back, cast off. Same active couple down the outside and back to place,
I LEFT MY SWEET GIRL BEHIND ME
Music: “The Girl I Left Behind Me”
Played by George Gulyagg,
The dance from the Otsego manuscript:
Down outside, lead up in the middle and cast off one couple The 3d couple perform the same Four half round, change sides Right and left
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over.
Active couples down the outside, up the center to place and cast off, The second couple do the same. Same two couples circle half way round. Same two couples pass through. Same two couples right and left four.
This dance may be danced as duple mimor set but it has always seemed a potter dance to keep it as a triple minor set. But you're dancing it, I'm not!
My HEART DESIRE
Music “On the road to Boston” by Ralph Page
The dance from the Otsego Manuscript:
First couple change sides and cast off two couple, balance, Change sides, lead up in the middle, cast off one couple Six hands half round and back Three couple promenade Right and left,
Modern-day translation;
Couples | - 4. 7 etc., active, Do NOT cross over.
Active couples change sides, 80 down the outside below two couples, Come up the center with partner, cross over to origina] side, cast off Six hands around, Same three couples promenade, Top two couples right and left four.
THE DOUBTFUL SHEPHER
or
KISS YOUR GRANNY
Music: The tune “What A Beau Your Granny Was“
The two dances from the Otsego manuscript:
WHAT A BEAU YOUR GRANNY WAS
The three ladies lead round the three Gentlemen, at the same time the three Gentlemen set, and three hands round, the three Gentlemen lead round the three Ladies, at the same time the three Ladies set and three hands round, the first couple poucette with the second couple into the second couples’ places, and turn their partners half round with both hands, right and left at top.
and MEMORY
First three ladies lead round, first three gentlemen do the same, down in the middle, back, cast off, hangs six round.
Modern-day translation:
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over.
Three ladies single file around the three men who At the same time balance and circle three hands once around. Three men single file around the three ladies who At the same time balance and circle three hands once around. Active couples down the center and back to cast off one couple. Same three couples six hands once completely round,
I think of this dance as a study in counterpoint. The dance will grow on you. I have no qualms about combining the two dances to form another dance; all the old-time dancing masters did it.
SHELTY FROLIC
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc. active.
Tune: Leith Country Dance
The dance from the Schaffer manuscript:
Down outside; up again; Down the middle and back again, cast off. Hands four round with the bottom; : And right and left at top.
Modern-day translation:
Couples | - 4 - 7 etc. active. Do NOT cross over
Active couples down the outside and back. Same active couples down the center with partner and back cast off Circle four hands round with the third couple, and back. Top two couples right and left four.
This dance may be done as a duple minor if you wish. It certainly is a nice little dance when done that way. The old directions do not say to circle back the other way but it’s a better dance picture when danced so, and the figures come out with the music.