Proceedings of the Known World Dance Symposium 2007

Contents | Event home

 

Interesting English Country Dances

Sara Bonneville
(Sara de Bonneville)

CAVLRKIDAll the dances for this class have been chosen from a forthcoming CD of English Country Dance tunes to be recorded by Wandering Hands.  The CD should be available sometime in late fall to winter 2007.  If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this CD when it is completed, you can check the web-site for availability (http://www.wandering-hands.com/) or you may give your contact information to the instructor if you would like to be contacted later.  

I had the privilege of collaborating with them in selecting songs for this CD, so of course I gave them a list of dances for which music can be difficult to find.  The musicians pared that list down based on musical interest and compatibility with the instrumental and vocal make-up of their group, and I have provided guidance as to tempo and repeat structure.  These are some of my favorites.

In the SCA, Sara de Bonneville is an aficionado of dance, a student of Master Trahaearn, and a sometime Exchequer.  In the modern world, Sara L. Bonneville is Budget Manager for a school district in Washington State who spent her college years (long ago!)  studying ballet and jazz, teaching the same, and doing a little stage choreography.  

English Country Dances, 16th & 17th C – primary source

Playford, John, The English Dancing Master, 1651 edition; facsimile reprint with introduction and notes by Margaret Dean-Smith, London: Schott & Co. Ltd., 1957; modern reprint edited by Hugh Mellor, Dance Books Lt., London, 1984

Glossary/Key   

Set symbols:       t  -  man/men          v  -  woman          (L) Left ;  (R) Right;  (fwd) Forward

Reverance or ‘Honor’ – a bow or curtsey

(D) Double - four steps, traveling forward (“up a double”) or back.

(S) Siding - double toward partner, meeting shoulders, double back to place.

(A) Arming – (2) doubles while grasping forearms w/ partner and circling.

Set - step to the side and close, often done in pairs (set left & right).

Turn / Turn-single – double (4 steps) turning in place (usually to left).

Casting – partners separate, moving away and around other couple(s) to meet.

Slipping – sideways slide (“chausser”); slip left: left, together, left.

Hey – dancers “weave” in a line or circle, passing as they double forward alternately left and right; usually begin passing right shoulders.  Various types of heys include: 3 or 4 person, circular, sheepskin, etc.

*Side or Arm “Left”:  angle to the left, to meet right sides or take right arms.


 

Row Well Ye Marriners                                

 (Playford 1651) Progressive ECD - longwise for as many as will

ttttt . . .
vvvvv . . .

Leade up a D. forward and back . That againe ..

First  man two slippes cross the roome one way the Wo. the other  Back again to your places _:__

Fall back both _.__ meet again _:__

Clap both your owne hands, then clap each others right hands against one anothers, clap both your owne hands again , then clap left hands, then clap both hands again, then clap your brests, then meet both your hands  against one anothers _.__ The dame again only clap left hands first _:__

First man sides with the next Wo. and his Wo. with the next man, doing the like till you come to your places, the rest following and doing the same.

Reconstruction based on that of Trahaearn

Progressive:  each couple becomes active as couple #1 dances w/ them

                I                                                                              1              -16                          Up a double & back;  -- that again; (face partner)

                                Ch                           A                             1              -8                                            couple #1 only: (2) slips L, (2) slips R (slow);

                                                                                                9              -16                                          Double back (away frm partner), forward;

                                                                B                             1              -8                                            (“patty-cake”): Clap hands, clap R w/ partner,

                                                                                                                                                                                Clap hands, clap L w/ partner,

                                                                                                                                                                                Clap hands, clap own chest,

                                                                                                                                                                                Clap hands, clap both hands w/ partner.

                                                                                                9              -16                                          -- repeat ‘patty cake’ figure, going L first.

 

                II                                                                                                     1              -16                          couple #1 cross, passing R side:  Side L w/next couple, Side R;

                                Ch                                                           1              -32                                          couples #1 & #2 only: chorus parts A & B

                                                                                                                                                                ( -- m#1 with w#2, -- m#2 with w#1).

 

                                                                …                            …            …                                           -- repeat II with new partners until all back in place.

 

 


 

Millisons Jegg

 (Playford 1651) – English Country Dance - longwise for 3 couples                                              

vvv
ttt

Millisons Jegge                     Longways for six 

Leade up all a D. forwards and back _.__ That Againe _:__

First man take his Wo. by both hands, and four slips up, and the 2. as much, the third as much, turne all S. _.__ Third Cu. foure slips downe, the 2. as much, first as much, turne all single _:__

Sides all _.__ That Againe _:__

First Cu. change places, the second as much, third as much, turne S. _.__ Third Cu. change places, the 2. as much, first as much, turne all single _:__

Armes all _.__ That Againe _:__

First man change places with the 2. Wo. first Wo. change with the 2. the last change with his owne, turne S. _.__ First man change with the last Wo, first Wo, change with the last man, tother change,        turne all single _:__

 

                I                                                                              1              -16          Double forward and back; --  repeat; (face partner & take hands)

                                Ch                           A                             1              -16                          1st couple (4) slips up the hall; 2nd the same; 3rd the same; all turn single;

                                                                B                             1              -16                          Reverse (A), 3rd couple slipping down, then 2nd, then 1st, turn single;

 

                II                                                                             1              -16          Side L with partner (meet R shoulders); side R.

                                Ch                           A                             1              -8                            1st couple changes places; 2nd the same; 3rd the same; turn single;

                                                                B                             1              -8                            3rd couple change back; 2nd the same; 3rd the same; turn single;

 

                III                                                                           1              -16                          Arm L with partner (take R arms); arm R.

                                Ch                           A                             1              -8                                            M1 & W2 c hange places; M2 & W1 change; 3rd couple change; turn single;

                                                                B                             1              -8                                            Original M1 & W3 change, then M3 & W1, 2nd couple change at top;

                                                                                                                                                                                All turn single. *

 

* Dance ends with couple 1 at bottom, couples 2 & 3 each moved up one place – could repeat dance 2 more times until all back in place.

 


Old Mole               

 

 

English Country Dance - longwise, for 3 couples 

v v v
t t t

Lead up all a D. forwards and back, set and turn S. _.__ That againe _:__

All a D. to the left hand back again, set and turn S. _.:___

As much to the right _::___ First man and last woman meet a D. back again,

meet again and change places _.:____:__ First Wo. and last man as much _.:____.:___

the second man as much with his owne _.:____.:____:__

The two first We. hands and the two last men hands, lead forwards and back

to the odd one against them, let the odd ones go under your armes _.__

do this change four times, over to the place where you began is _:___:__

Then first and last change as before to your places _:___:__

All the men hands, and all the We. hands, meet all forwards and back the first

and last, last on each side turn each other the 2. turning his owne _.__

Sides where you turned and turne your owne _:__ Men the S. Hey _.:__

We. as much _:___:__ The D. Hey twice over _.:____:__

Cast off all and come to your places. That again.

(Playford 1651) – Reconstruction based on that of Trahaearn & Janelyn (Peter & Janelle Durham), and that of Dafydd Cyhoeddwr (David White - KWDS 2003)

                I                                                                              1              -32          Double up & back; set & turn;  -- that again;

                                                                                                33           -40                         (men) D up & back, -AS- (wmn) turn to D down & back;

                                                                                                41            -48                                         (all) set & turn;

                                                                                                49           -56                                          (men) turn to D down & back, -AS- (wmn) D up & back;

                                                                                                57           -64                                          (all) set & turn;

                                Ch                                                           1              -16                          (Bounce/trade): m1 & w2 meet a D, back, meet & pass;

                                                                                                17            -32                          -- m3 & w1 the same;

                                                                                                33           -48                         -- m2 & w2 the same;

 

                II                                                                             1              -64          (Mole figure - original m1 & w3 are the moles)

                                Ch                                                           1              -48                         (Bounce/trade): to end in original places

 

                III                                                                           1              -4            men’s line meets women’s line

                                                                                                5              -8            couples 1 and 3 fall back, -AS- couple 2 remains

                                                                                                9              -16          m1 & m3 turn, as w1 & w3 and couple 2 the same;

                                                                                                17            -32          side where you turned, partners turn ea other.

                                                                                                33           -64          Men’s hey; women’s hey;

                                Ch                                                           --             - --                          Circular hey twice round

                                                                                                                                                Cast off and return, that again.

 


 

(The) Whirligig

Progressive English Country Dance – longwise, for 3 couples        

v v v
t t t

Lead up a D. forwards and back _.__ That again _:__

        The middle Cu. goe up between the first, cast off and come to

        your places again, then cross over between them like the figure of 8,

        to your places _.__ Then as much with the last Cupple _:__

        Cast off all, doe thus.

Sides all _.__ That againe _:__

        The 2. man armes with the First Wo. and they three goe the S.

        Hey, while the 2. Wo. turns the last man, and doe the like

        with them _.__ That again the 2. Cu. changeing their ends _:__

        Cast off all, doe thus.

Armes all _.__ That againe _:__

        First foure cast and come to your places, then take right

        hands a cross, and goe round to your places ___ As much with the last

        Cu. _:__ cast off all doe this change.

 (Playford 1651) – Reconstruction based on that of Traheaern (Peter Durham)

                I                                                                              1              -16                          Up a double & back;  -- that again;

                                Ch                           A1                            1              -8                                            couple #2: (2) D up btwn #1, around back to place;

                                                                                                9              -16                                          #2: D up crossing btwn #1, back to partner’s place;

                                                                A2                            1              -16                                          -- couple #2 the same, going btwn #3;

                                                                A3                            1              -8                                            (progressive fig.): (2) D, cast 2/3 (#3 stop in #1 pos.);

                                                                B                             1              -40                         -- repeat (A) from new positions (#1 is now #2);

                                                                C                             1              -40                                         -- repeat (A) from new positions; end in original place.

                                               

                II                                                                             1              -16                          Side L, Side R;

                                Ch                           A1                            1              -8                                            m#2 Arm-L 1½ w/w#1, WHILE w#2 Arm w/ m#3;

                                                                                                7              -16                                          couple #1 begins single-hey w/ m#2 (changes by

                                                                                                                                                                                m1&w1, m1&m2, m2&w1, w1&m1 as m2 to place)

                                                                                                                                                                WHILE w2 the same w/couple 3;

                                                                A2                            1              -16                                          reverse, starting w/m2 & w3, and w2 & m1;

                                                                A3                            1              -8                                            (progressive fig.): (2) D, cast 2/3 (#3 stop in #1 pos.);

                                                                B                             1              -40                         -- repeat (A) from new positions (#1 is now #2);

                                                                C                             1              -40                                         -- repeat (A) from new positions; end in original place.

 

                III                                                                           1              -16                          Arm L, Arm R;

                                Ch                           A1                            1              -8                                            couples #1 & 2: (2) D to cast off & return to place,

                                                                                                7              -16                                                          -- take R hands for star, (2) D circle to place;

                                                                A2                            1              -16                                          reverse, couples #3 & 2 casting from the bottom;

                                                                A3                            1              -8                                            (progressive fig.): (2) D, cast 2/3 (#3 stop in #1 pos.);

                                                                B                             1              -40                         -- repeat (A) from new positions (#1 is now #2);

                                                                C                             1              -40                                         -- repeat (A) from new positions; end in original place.

 


Saint Martins

 

 

English Country Dance - square for two couples 

u       v
w       t

Meet all, two slips to the left hand, and to the right, men turn S.to the left hand and backe again, while the We. turne the Co.way _.__ Meet again, change places, then change with your owneand tuen S. _:__

Men back a D. We. turne S. men crosse over taking left hands, turne the Co. We. with the right and stay there _.__ We. goe back, men turne S. W. crosse over, handing right hands, turne your owne with the left _:__

Meet all a D. change places, set and turne S. _.__ That againe _:__

Men meet and stand, We. as much, hands all.  Foure slips halfe round and turne S. _.__ We. meet, meen meet, and four slips to your places, and turn S. _:__

Meet all, take each others We. by both hands, two slips to the left, and two to the right, men cast off to yours, Come to your places, We. following _.__ Back all, change places with your owne, men crosse about each other, and fall back to your first places, We. doing the like, not turne your faces _:__

Men honour, We. honour, right hands a crosse and goe round _.__ We. honour, men honour left hands a cross and goe halfe round _:__ Fall all a brest to the presence.

 (Playford 1651) – Reconstruction based on that of Dafydd Cyhoeddyr (John White)

                I                                              A                             1              -8                            Meet a Double; ea couple 2 slips L, 2 slips R;

                                                                                                9              -16                          Turn-single out of square; turn other way, moving back;

                                                                B                             1              -16                          Meet a D; opposites change; partners change; turn-single.

                                Ch                           A                             1              -4                            (men) back a D, WHILE women turn-single L;

                                                                                                5              -8                            (men) Double to switch places by L hand;

                                                                                                9              -16                          Turn your opposite all the way around by R hands;

                                                                B                                     1              -4                            (women) back a D, WHILE men turn-single L;

                                                                                                5              -8                            (women) Double to switch places by R hand;

                                                                                                5              -12                          Turn your partner all the way around by L hand.

 

                II                                             A                             1              -16                          Meet a Double; change w/ opposite; Set & Turn L;

                                                                B                             1              -16                          Meet a Double; change w/ opposite; Set & Turn R;

                                Ch           A                             1              -8                            men meet a Double; women the same;

                                                                                                9              -16                          (take hands) 4 slips left to place; turn-single R;

                                                                B                             1              -16                          -- repeat, women going first, slips R, turn-single L.

 

                III                                           A                             1              -8                            Meet a Double; 2 slips out w/ opposite (taking hands);

                                                                                                9              -16                          men cast off to L (partner following), behind & to place;

                                                                B                             1              -8                            Back a D; change w/ partner by R;

                                                                                                9              -16                          (‘V’ fig.): men do-si-do into proper place; wmn the same;

                                Ch           A                             1              -16                          m: honor; w: honor; R-hand star circling all way around;

                                                                B                             1              -12                          -- repeat A, women first, L-hand star ½ around;

                                                                                                13            -16                                          all fall abreast to the presence.

 


Dull Sir John                                                      

(Playford 1651) English Country Dance – square for four couples                                

usqv
wprt

Dull Sir John   A square Dance for eight

The first Cu. lead in and cast off to your places, the man going between the 2. Cu. and the Wo. between the 4. the 3. Cu. as much _._The 2. as much, and the 4. as much _:_

The first and 3. man change places a cross, their We. as much, hands all foure either round or a crosse, and goe round to your places _._  Then 2. and 4. Cu. as much _:_ And fall the last foure the men behind the We. _.:_

The 4. and 2. men standing behind their We. the first Cu. passe  into the 3. place, the man going between the 2. Cu. and the Wo. between  the 3. whilest the 3. Cu. lead right over and fall into the first place, this back again to you places, the first Cu. doing as the 3. did,  and the 3. as the first, the 3. as much _:_

Then the first and 3. Cu. the S. Hey twice to your places,  the We. who stand before their men leading it _._  the other foure as much _:_

Men cast off, and going on the outside your owne We. fall into each others  places, We. as much,men as much againe We. as much _:_

First and 3. Cu. meet, go about each other, We. back to back not turning your faces. give right hands to the Co. We.  and left hands to your owne, and so stay in your own places  as at the first, the other foure doing the like _.:_

 

                I                                                                              1              -8                            1st couple lead in a double, cast, go btwn side couples & back to place;

                                                                                                9              -16                          3rd   couple (opposite 1st) does the same;

                                                                                                17            -32                          2rd  & 4th couples (sides) do the same in turn.

                                Ch                           A                             1              -8                                            (top & bottom couples): 1st & 3rd m trade places, woment the same;

                                                                                                9              -16                                          1st & 3rd couples take hands ½ round back to place;

                                                                B                             1              -16                                          (side couples): 2nd & 4th couples the same; men end behind their w.

 

                II                                                                             1              -8                            (side men now standing behind women): 1st c goes between couples 2 & 4

                                                                                                                                                                into the 3rd couple’s place, AS 3rd c crosses into 1st couple’s place;

                                                                                                9              -16                          3rd c return to place, passing btwn side couples as 1st c crosses to place;

                                                                                                17            -32                          (men 1 & 3 stand behind their w) 2rd  & 4th couples (sides) do the same.

                                Ch                           A                             1              -16                                          1st & 3rd w begin single hey for 4, twice around toend in place;

                                                                B                             1              -16                                          2nd & 4th couples the same.

 

                III                                                                           1              -8                            Men (all) cast, going around behind your w to end in next man’s place;

                                                                                                9              -16                          Women the same, to end beside their man;

                                                                                                17            -32                          Men cast again; women following (end opposite place from start).

                                Ch                           A                             1              -8                                            1st & 3rd meet, “do-si-do around opposite,

                                                                                                9              -16                                          ½ hey (with hands) back to original places;

                                                                B                             1              -16                                          2nd & 4th couples the same.