Walsh in 1719.
Adapted by Andrew Shaw in 2002
proper duple minor
Tune: Old Hob' or 'The Mouse Trap
Al 1-4 1st corners right-hand turn once around. 5-8 1s long cast down into 2nd place, 2s meeting and leading up into 1st place. A2 1-4 1st woman and 2nd man (now in Ist corner positions) right-hand turn once around. 5-8 2s long cast down into 2nd place, 1s meeting and leading up into 1st place. B1 1-4 1st corners change places, then 2nd corners change places. 5-8 All four circle left halfway, then 1s short cast down into 2nd place, 2s leading up. B2 1-4 1s lead down through next 2s below and cast back to progressed places (skip-change step)- 5-8 Partners two-hand turn once around.
Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I12TOQ4G3b0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX6Boask1KA
William Chappell (1855) records that the words are by Thomas D'Urfey set to a tune that appeared first in a 1696 play written by Doggett called The Country Wake.
Of all the simple things we do, To rub over a whimsical life; There's no one folly is so true, As that very bad bargain, a wife. We're just like a mouse in a trap, Or rat that is caught in a gin; We start and fret, and try to escape, And rue the sad hour we came in.
“Marriage, or, The Mouse Trap”