A Choice Selection of Country Dances from the Year 1726

Dance Program and Instructions

Sources, music references, available videos, and figures for the dances in the BACDS 1726 Ball program.

The Dances

P = Partner N = Neighbor R&L = with hands Circular Hey = without hands CW/CCW = clockwise/counterclockwise

Contra Corners: The middle person in a 3-couple set has their 1st contra corner on the diagonal right, their partner directly across, and their 2nd contra corner on the diagonal left.

Unless otherwise specified, hand turns and circles are once around; corner, partner, and neighbor changes pass by the right shoulder; turns single are to the right; circles are to the left; and duple minor dances are proper.

Video links are included where currently available. Additional videos will be added as they become available.

Aberdeen

Formation:
3-couple longways set (2/2 meter, F)
Source:
Neal, 1726
Music:
Barnes 2, page 1
Video:
Not available yet.
A1 1–8 R shoulder whole hey on L side.
A2 1–8 Top 1st corners RH turn. 1s LH turn.
B1 1–8 L shoulder whole hey on R side.
B2 1–8 Top 2nd corners LH turn. 1s RH turn.
A3 1–4 1s cross and go below as 2s move up.
5–8 1s cross and go below again as 3s move up.
A4 1–4 1s lead to top and honor each other.
5–8 1s cast down below 2s to end in middle of line of 4 with 3s, facing down.
B3 1–4 Lines lead down a double and back.
5–8 1s half figure 8 down, ending in middle of line of 4 with 2s, facing up.
B4 1–4 Lines lead up a double and back.
5–8 1s half figure 8 up, ending at the bottom while 3s move up.

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Cheshire Rounds

Formation:
Longways duple minor (3/2 meter, D)
Source:
Neal, 1726
Music:
Barnes 1, page 19
Video:
https://youtu.be/Lte3LiXo_Wg
A1 1–4 1s chase CW around 2s (the leader going all the way around both 2s and the follower cutting between the 2s) to end in each other’s place, improper.
A2 1–4 2s chase CW around 1s (the leader going all the way around both 1s and the follower cutting between the 1s) to end in each other’s place, improper.
B1 1–2 1s cross and go below as 2s 2H turn halfway and then lead up.
3–4 All 2H turn P once.
B2 1–4 4 changes R and L, starting with P.

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The Collier’s Daughter

Formation:
Longways duple minor (2/2 meter, Gm)
Source:
Neal, 1726
Music:
Barnes 1, page 21
Video:
Not available yet.

Note: This version differs from the one commonly danced.

Note: The figure 8s can be danced as double figure 8s if the 2s wish.

A1 1–4 1s cross and go below as 2s move up.
5–8 1s cross and go below again (next 2s) as 2s stay put.
A2 1–8 1s lead up through both sets of 2s, then cast down to progressed place.
B1 1–8 1s dance whole figure 8 up through original 2s.
B2 1–8 1s dance whole figure 8 down through next 2s.

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The Constant Lover

Formation:
Longways triple minor (2/2 meter, F)
Source:
Pearson/Young, 1726; interpretation by Andrew Shaw, 2024
Music:
Barnes 2, page 22
Video:
https://youtu.be/bcwAdnmKBig
A1 & A2 Whole mirror hey, 1s start down center.
B1 1–4 Top L dancer turns up to face out as their P joins them on their L. 1s promenade down L side of set (as 2s move up) into 2nd place proper, facing down.
5–8 1s and 3s RH star once.
B2 1–4 1s and 2s 4 changes of circular hey, starting with P.
5–8 1s lead up through 2s, cast back to middle place.

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The Dusty Miller

Formation:
3-couple longways set (3/2 meter, G)
Source:
Neal, 1726
Music:
Barnes 1, page 33
Video:
https://youtu.be/3Ij_53A3lyQ
A1 1–4 1s lead to middle (as 2s move up), turn toward P to face up, cast to below 3s.
A2 1–4 1s 2H turn once, cast up to middle.
B1 1–4 1s RH turn 1st contra corner, LH turn each other.
B2 1–4 1s RH turn 2nd contra corner, LH turn each other, end facing 1st corner again.
A3 1–4 1s and 1st corners step R and honor, then 2H turn once. 1s pass L (short way) to face 2nd corner.
A4 1–4 1s and 2nd corners step R and honor, then 2H turn once. 1s end improper, facing 1st corner again.
B3 1–4 L shoulder whole heys along sides.
B4 1–4 1s 2H turn once moving down to 3rd place as 3s loop up to middle.

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Excuse Me

Formation:
Longways duple minor (6/8 meter, Gm)
Source:
Neal, 1726
Music:
Barnes 1, page 36
Video:
Not available for this version.
A1 1–4 1s cross and go below.
5–8 1s 2H turn 1-1/2 times.
A2 1–4 2s cross and go below.
5–8 2s 2H turn 1-1/2 times.
B1 1–4 1st corners set forward and turn single back to place.
B2 1–4 2nd corners set forward and turn single back to place.
C1 1–4 1s cross and go below as 2s move up.
5–8 1s half figure 8 up through 2s.
C2 1–8 2s whole figure 8 down through 1s.

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The Haymakers

Formation:
Longways duple minor (4/4 meter, Am)
Source:
Neal, 1726
Music:
Barnes 2, page 56
Video:
https://youtu.be/wRfiqhybsLI
A1 1–4 1st corners cast CCW around N to trade places.
5–8 1st corners LH turn 1/2 and fall back to home.
A2 1–4 2nd corners cast CW around N to trade places.
5–8 2nd corners RH turn 1/2 and fall back to home.
B1 1–4 All fall back with N and set forward.
5–8 1s 2H turn once moving down as 2s cast up.
B2 1–4 RH star 1/2, turn single L, face P.
5–8 2 changes of R and L, starting with P.

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The Highlander’s Maggot

Formation:
Longways duple minor (4/4 meter)
Source:
Pearson/Young, 1726; interpretation by Andrew Shaw, 2004
Music:
Not in Barnes
Video:
https://youtu.be/MoA-AYeYbSU

Note: 4 steps per bar.

A1 1–4 1s half figure 8 down through 2s, balance forward and back to each other, then cast down as 2s lead up.
5–8 1s half figure 8 down through next 2s, 2H turn once, ending progressed and proper.
A2 1–4 2s half figure 8 down through 1s, balance forward and back to each other, then cast down as 1s lead up.
5–8 2s half figure 8 down through next 1s, 2H turn once, ending home and proper.
B 1–4 All set to P, pass R, LH turn N once.
5–6 2 changes of R and L, starting with P.
7–8 2s set and cast down as 1s lead up.
9–10 1s set and cast down as 2s lead up.

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The Irish Howle

Formation:
Longways duple minor (4/4 meter, G)
Source:
Pearson/Young, 1726; interpretation by Andrew Shaw, 2024
Music:
Barnes 3, page 75
Video:
https://youtu.be/PVF82e2wXvg

Note: 4 steps per bar.

A 1–4 Bottom R dancer hey with 1s across the set.
5–8 Bottom L dancer hey with 1s across the set.
B 1–2 1st corners change by L, turn L to face in. 2nd corners change by R, turn R to face in.
3–4 Single file circle CW 1/2 to home.
5–6 All 2H turn P once.
7–8 1s long cast down. 2s lead up and cloverleaf single (turning away from P).

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John the Madman

Formation:
Longways duple minor (6/8 meter, D)
Source:
Pearson/Young, 1726; interpretation by Andrew Shaw
Music:
Barnes 3, page 77
Video:
Not available yet.
A1 1–4 Set and turn single to P, end facing N.
5–8 N 2H turn once, stay facing.
A2 1–4 Set and turn single to N, end facing P.
5–8 P 2H turn once.
B1 1–4 1st corners change passing R, 2nd corners change passing L.
5–8 1s lead up through 2s and cast back to 2nd place.
B2 1–4 1/2 draw poussette CCW, current 1st corners backing up the whole way.
5–8 1/2 straight poussette CCW, same people backing up to start.

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My Lady Winwood’s Maggott

Formation:
3-couple longways set (2/4 meter, G)
Source:
Playford, 1726; interpretation by Colin Hume, 2016
Music:
Barnes 1, page 84
Video:
Not available yet.
A1 1–4 1s set and cast to middle while 2s move up.
5–8 1s lead down through 3s and cast back to middle.
A2 1–8 1s (individually) L shoulder hey across with end couple on their R.
B 1–4 1s circle L with hey couple, ending proper in middle place.
5–8 All back to back with P.
9–16 1s lead down through 3s, cast back to middle, lead up through 2s, cast to bottom (as 3s move up).

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Old Wife Behind the Fire

Formation:
Longways duple minor (4/4 meter, G)
Source:
Neal, 1726
Music:
Barnes 2, page 97
Video:
https://youtu.be/vsXV9uRBOto
A1 1–4 1s set to each other and cast down while 2s move up.
5–8 1s 2H turn once.
A2 1–4 2s set to each other and cast down while 1s move up.
5–8 2s 2H turn once.
B1 1–4 1s cross and go below while 2s move up.
5–8 2s cross, go below, and move up into center of a line of 4 facing up while 1s meet, lead up, and cast out to the ends of the line.
B2 1–4 Line of 4 up a double and back, bending.
5–8 2 changes of R and L, starting with P.

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Pembrook

Formation:
Longways duple minor (9/8 meter)
Source:
Neal, 1726
Music:
Not in Barnes
Video:
Not available yet.
A1 1–4 Top 1st corner hey along the line with the dancers on the opposite side, first corners passing R to begin.
A2 1–4 Top 2nd corner hey along the line with the dancers on the opposite side, 2nd corners passing L to begin.
B1 1–4 1s set and cast down while 2s lead up.
B2 1–4 2s set and cast down while 1s lead up.
C1 1–4 1s (with hands) slip down the center and back.
C2 1–4 3 changes of a circular hey, starting with P.

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Portsmouth

Formation:
Longways triple minor (2/2 meter, G)
Source:
Neal, 1726
Music:
Very similar to the Barnes 1, page 100 tune
Video:
Not available yet.

Note: This version differs from the more common Playford 1701 version.

A1 1–8 Crossover mirror hey (only the 1s cross, at the beginning of the hey, and end improper).
A2 1–4 1s cross and go below while 2s meet and lead up.
5–8 1s 2H turn once.
B1 1–4 Lines of 3 fall back a double, set forward.
5–8 All 2H turn P once.
B2 1–8 Hands 6, circle L and R.

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The Ragg

Formation:
Longways duple minor (6/8 meter, G)
Source:
Neal, 1726
Music:
Barnes 1, page 104
Video:
https://dancevideos.childgrove.org/ecd/playford/64-ragg
The linked performance is slower than this dance will be run.
A1 1–4 1s cross and go below while 2s move up.
5–8 1s 2H turn 1-1/2 times.
A2 1–4 2s cross and go below while 1s move up.
5–8 2s 2H turn 1-1/2 times.
B1 1–8 RH star, LH star.
B2 1–4 Set twice to partner (RLRL).
5–8 3 changes of circular hey, starting with P.

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Three Coney Walk (or Number Three)

Formation:
Triple minor with triple progression (6/8 meter, D)
Source:
Young, 1726; interpretation by Andrew Shaw, 2017
Music:
Not in Barnes
Video:
Not available yet.
A1 1–8 Top L dancer long cast to 2nd place as N waits and moves up. Then 2H turn once with bottom R dancer, ending in middle place.
A2 1–8 Top R dancer long cast to 2nd place as N waits and moves up. Then 2H turn once+ with bottom L dancer to end between 3s while P casts up to end between 2s. Finish in lines of 3 facing up and down.
B1 1–4 Lines of 3 forward and back.
5–8 1s 2H turn 3/4 into 2nd place proper, releasing hands to fall back on sides. Cross by R into…
A3 1–8 1s RH turn 1st corners, then 1s LH turn.
A4 1–8 1s RH turn 2nd corners, then 1s LH turn about 1-1/4, ending in middle place proper and facing up.
B2 1–4 1s long cast to bottom while 3s wait and lead up.
5–8 1s with new Ns (below), 3 changes of R and L (starting with P).

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Wanton Dolly

Formation:
Longways duple minor (2/2 meter)
Source:
Pearson/Young, 1726; interpretation by Andrew Shaw, 2023
Music:
Not in Barnes
Video:
Not available yet.
A1 1–4 With N, balance back and forward. 1s quick cast as 2s lead up.
5–8 New Ns handy hand turn once, starting with 1s down center.
A2 1–4 1s 2H turn once.
5–8 1s long cast up while 2s meet and lead down.
B1 1–4 1st corners change by R, 2nd corners change by R.
5–8 Single file circle halfway to home and face P.
9–10 Cloverleaf turn single (1s up, 2s down) to face current N.
B2 1–8 4 changes of R and L, starting with N.
B2 9–10 Pass same N by R, face P and take inside hands with new N.

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