Playford's Progeny

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====== BRITISH SORROW ======

Tune: Duke of Perth\\
The dance from Saltator manuscript.
<code>
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.</code>

Modern-day translation:
<code>
 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.</code>

====== SPANKING JACK ======

Tune: Cincinnati Hornpipe\\
The dance from Griffith’s manuscript:
<code>
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.</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over\\
<code>
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.</code>

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: \\
<code>
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.</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over.
<code>
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.</code>

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:
<code>
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.</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross on
<code>
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.</code>

====== THE PLEASURE OF PROVIDENG ======

“Davy, Davy Nick-Nock™\\
The dance from the Griffith manuscript. 
<code>
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. </code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
<code>
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. </code>

====== MISS ARNOLD'S DELIGHT ======

Brisk Young Lads & Sixpenny Girl Medley”\\
The Dance from the Griffith manuscript:
<code>
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,</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
<code>
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.</code>

====== THE HUMOURS OF BOSTON ======

Music: “Mason's Apron” played by Sean Maguire\\
The dance from Ww. J's manuscript:
<code>
Chasse outside, back,
Four hands round,
Lead down the middle, up, cast off 1 couple,
6 Hands round.</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
<code>
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.</code>

====== La BELLE CATHERINE ======

“Quadrille des vieux'\\
The dance from W. J.’s manuscript:
<code>
Three couples balance, right and left at top
Lead down the middle, up
Cast off one couple
4 hands round, back again,</code>

Modern-day translation, slightly rearranged: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
<code>
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,</code>

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: 
<code>
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</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
<code>
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.</code>

====== WAYS OF THE WORLD ======

Tune: Lord MacDonald's Reel\\
The dance from the Muzzey manuscript.
<code>
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. </code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1-4-7 etc, active. Cross over before 
starting the dance. 
<code>
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.</code>

====== MADAM, YOU ARE THE ONE ======


The dance from W. D.’s manuscript: 
<code>
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.</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
<code>
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.</code>

====== THE MARKET LASS ======

Tune: Glenn Towle\\
The dance from the Burbank manuscript: 
<code>
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 </code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
<code>
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,</code>

====== VILLAGE MAID ======


The dance from the Nichols manuscript:
<code>
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,</code>


Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active Do NOT cross.
<code>
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.</code>

====== MISS PARKER'S FANCY ======

Tune “Cock O' the North".\\
The dance from the Shepley manuscript; 
<code>
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</code>

Modern-day translation:\\ 
Couples 1 - 4 - 7, etc., active. Do NOT Cross over,
<code>
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</code>

====== THE Lilly ======


The dance from the manuscript:
<code>
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,</code>


Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7, etc., active. Do NOT Cross over,
<code>
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. </code>

====== PICKERING'S REMOVE ======

tune Starr Label Reel\\
The dance from Saltator manuscript:
<code>
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</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7, etc., active. Do NOT Cross over,
<code>
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.</code>

====== JENNY NETTLE ======

tune “Miller’s Reel”\\
The dance from Saltator manuscript:
<code>
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</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over,
<code>
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,</code>

====== THE BOLD HIGHLANDER ======

tune “The Hamilton Rant”\\
The dance from the Saltator manuscript:
<code>
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.</code>
* "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
<code>
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.</code>

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.
<code>
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</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over.
<code>
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,</code>


====== I LEFT MY SWEET GIRL BEHIND ME ======

Music: “The Girl I Left Behind Me"\\ 
Played by George Gulyagg,\\
The dance from the Otsego manuscript:
<code>
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</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over.
<code>
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.</code>

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:
<code>
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,</code>

Modern-day translation; \\
Couples | - 4. 7 etc., active, Do NOT cross over.
<code>
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.</code>


====== 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**
<code>
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.</code>

**and MEMORY**
<code>
First three ladies lead round, first
three gentlemen do the same, down
in the middle, back, cast off, hangs
six round.</code>

Modern-day translation: \\
Couples 1 - 4 - 7 etc., active. Do NOT cross over.
<code>
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,</code>

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:
<code>
Down outside; up again;
Down the middle and back again, cast off.
Hands four round with the bottom; :
And right and left at top.</code>

Modern-day translation:\\
Couples | - 4 - 7 etc. active. Do NOT cross over
<code>
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.</code>

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.