playford

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====== 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 |}}
   
<code>
   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.</code>
   
   
The Merry, Merry Milkmaids    4 couple longways 
   
<code>
   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.</code>
   
   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
playford

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