Playford's Progeny

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====== Valentine's Day ======

Playford in 1683. \\
Interpreted by Pat Shaw in 1966.\\
Proper duple minor longways dance.\\
Recording: {{ ::music:valentines_day-walshb16-04.mp3.zip |}}
<code>
Once lead up as twos lead down turn alone lead back
Neighbors lead out turn alone lead back
First corners change RSH Second corners change RSH
with neighbor fullback come forward pass through
First corners meet and face away in the middle
Second corners meet face away
clap and turn single to place
Circle left once around</code>
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpg_WJlERl0
====== Valentine's Day ======
<code>
A1 1-4 1s lead up, while 2s lead down, couple leading away from couple 
       (2 bars),then 1s change hands to lead down, while 2s
       change hands to lead up, couple leading toward couple (2 bars).
A2 1-4 Neighbors lead out (2 bars), then change hands to lead back (2 bars).

B1 1-4 1st corners corners change places, then 2nd corners change places.
   5-10 Taking neighbor's hand, all fall back a double (2 bars), 
        then at once come forward and change places with partner and 
        turn right to face into the set. All proper and progressed.
        
B2 1-2 Ist man and 2nd woman meet and turn to the right to stand with backs to each other.
   3-4 Ist woman and 2nd man meet and turn to the right to stand with backs to each other.
   5-10 Clapping own hands on the first beat of bar 5, all turn single right (2 bars), 
       and move into a circle left once around, releasing neighbors at the end of the 
       phrase so as to lead toward them again in the next round (4 bars).</code>


**Valentine’s Day** customs, like many other folk and rural observances, had
been discouraged under the Commonwealth, and the new figure and title for
this cheery tune reflects their revival. In his observations on England in the
1680s, Maximilien Misson (1650-1722) said:\\
On the Eve of the 14th of Feb, St. Valentine's Day, a Time when all living Nature
inclines to couple, the young Folks in England, and Scotland too, by a very ancient
Custom, celebrate a little Festival that tends to the same end: An equal number of
Maids and Batchelors get together, each writes their true, or some feign’d Name
upon separate Billets: which they roll up, and draw by way of Lots, the Maids taking
the Mens Billets and the Men the Maids; so that each of the young Men lights upon a
Girl that he calls his Valentine, and each of the Girls upon a young Man which he calls
hers: By this Means each has two Valentines: but the Man sticks faster to the Valentine
that is fallen to him, than to the Valentine to whom he is fallen. Fortune having thus
divided the Company into so many Couples, the Valentines give Balls and Treats to the
Mistresses, wear their Billets several Days upon their Bosom’s or Sleeves, and this little
Sport often ends in Love.