The Wherligig

English Country Dance

Playford, The English Dancing Master, 1651

Longways for three couples

Advanced (to regulars)



I	A1	1-8	Double forward and back		Leade up all a D. forwards and back •
	A2	1-8	Double forward and back		That againe •• §
	B1	1-8	2nd Couple: Double up between 1st couple, then Double casting down outside 1st couple to original place	Up through couple above, cross through couple above	The middle Cu. goe up betweene the first, cast off, and come to your places again,
		9-16	2nd Couple: Double up between 1st couple, crossing over to partner's side, then Double casting down outside 1st couple to partner’s original place		then crosse over between them like the Figure of 8, to your places •
	B2	1-8	2nd Couple: Double down between 3rd couple, then Double casting around 3rd couple to partner's original place	Down through couple below, cross through couple below		Then as much with the last Cupple ••
		9-16	2nd Couple: Double up between 1st couple, crossing over to own side, then Double casting around 1st couple to own original place
	A3	1-8	2 Doubles casting off from the top; 3rd couple stops at 1st position			Cast off all, doe thus ¶
			Repeat B1 B2 A3 with original 1st couple now active in 2nd position
			Repeat B1 B2 A3 with original 3rd couple now active in 2nd position

II	A1	1-8	Side to left		Sides all •
	A2	1-8	Side to right		That againe •• §
	B1	1-6	2nd Man and 1st Woman: Arm to left while 2nd Woman and 3rd Man: Arm to left (end in lines of 3 at top and bottom)	Dive into couple on left for arming and hey		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. •
		7-16	2nd Man and 1st Couple: Single hey while 2nd Woman and 3rd Couple: Single hey (starts with those who armed) (During 5th and final change, 2nd couple returns to original place)
	B2	1-6	2nd Man and 3rd Woman: Arm to right while 2nd Woman and 1st Man: Arm to right (end in lines of 3 at top and bottom)	Dive into couple on right for arming and hey		That againe the 2. Cu. changing their ends ••
		7-16	2nd Man and 3rd Couple: Single hey while 2nd Woman and 1st Couple: Single hey (starts with those who armed) (During 5th and final change, 2nd couple returns to original place)
	A3	1-8	2 Doubles casting off from the top; 3rd couple stops at 1st position			Cast off all, doe thus. ¶
			Repeat B1 B2 A3 with original 1st couple now active in 2nd position
			Repeat B1 B2 A3 with original 3rd couple now active in 2nd position

III	A1	1-8	Arm to left		Armes all •
	A2	1-8	Arm to right		that againe •• §
	B1	1-8	1st and 2nd Couples: 2 Doubles casting off from top and returning to place	Cast up and star	First foure cast and come to your places,
		9-16	1st and 2nd Couples: Take right hands for star; 2 Doubles circling to place		then take right hands acrosse, and goe round to your places •
	B2	1-8	3rd and 2nd Couples: 2 Doubles casting off from end and returning to place	Cast down and star		As much with the last Cu. ••
		9-16	3rd and 2nd Couples: Take right hands for star; 2 Doubles circling to place
	A3	1-8	2 Doubles casting off from the top; 3rd couple stops at 1st position			Cast off all doe this change. ¶
			Repeat B1 B2 A3 with original 1st couple now active in 2nd position
			Repeat B1 B2 A3 with original 3rd couple now active in 2nd position
260707 1837

Reconstruction by Peter Durham. Text transcribed from Dance Books reprint of Mellor and Bridgewater edition of Playford.

Notes

Reconstruction. At the end of each section, Playford says “Cast off all, doe thus.” without a music repeat indicator. I choose to use the A music for the progression because otherwise you get 9 times through the B music which is a little dull. For the progression I choose to have all cast off, with the third couple sticking to the top. Other reconstructions have the top couple cast off and stick to the bottom, forming an arch which the other couples pass through.

Recordings. I like the Orange and Blue recording on English Dancing Master disc 2, it's lively and clear to follow.