Progressive line dance. Long parallel lines of any number of dancers. Preferably with roughly the same number in each line.
Ch repeated many times.
(Ax2+B)x lots. A is 4 bars, B is 10 bars. Musically it has 6 beats per bar but is danced as 4 counts. The final 4 bars of B are slower than the rest [& have 4 beats each].
Hankies.
At the end of each Ch, lines that have passed through the lines they were facing dance with the new lines they are facing. If at the edge of the area and so not facing another line, rest for a Ch then turn 180 deg and join in with the next Ch.
All lines face towards the gap between the central two lines. Initially only the middle two lines dance. After each progression inactive lines that find themselves facing active ones join in.
Lines resting at the edges do not join back in but reform into a circle around the room facing inwards. As soon as the last two lines finish, everyone does one more Ch but facing inwards ending in the centre.
Facing opposite line. (F & B using one Basic) x 2. Then Closed Sidesteps L & R. Then 2 Capers on the spot. Then Closed Sidestep L & R again. Then progress through opposite line using caper + Rhop + hook + caper + Lhop + hook [hooks are as in Bleddington]. Then repeat the capers & hooks on the spot [to an extra two bars of music added to the phrase].
Because of the number of dancers needed this usually only done at Ales or other meetings of many sides where it is useful as finishing dance.
This can be used as a show dance by 6 dancers in a line. First come on doing the Ch then turn 2 more join in on the end for the next Ch then the final 2 join in for a Ch then everyone does a Hey. [Source = Mount Bewes Morris.]
Learnt as part of Lagabag Morris’s dance repertoire.
This page only contains features specific to this dance. Where not specified, the features of this dance are in common with other dances in this tradition.
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