The Morris Book, Part 1 / A History of Morris Dancing, With a Description of Eleven Dances as Performed by the Morris-Men of England

by Cecil J. Sharp; Herbert C. MacIlwaine

NOTATION.

MUSIC.	MOVEMENTS.	FORMATION.
	BEAN SETTING (STICK DANCE).
	In this dance, the step throughout is 4/2.
Once to yourself.	Partners tap across on last half-bar.	Column.
A. (1st time).	Ring (see p. [51]). Partners tap across at half-bar in bars 4 and 8.	Col. to Ring.
B. (1st time).	Dibbing (see p. [52]).	Front.
A. (2nd time).	Cross-over. Partners tap across at half-bar in bars 4 and 8, that is, at middle and end of the Cross-over.	"
B. (2nd time).	Dibbing.	"
A. (3rd time).	Back-to-back. Tap as in A. (2nd time).	"
B. (3rd time).	Dibbing. Two bars before the end, leader calls "All in, " whereupon all, as they tap for the last time, j. outward, forming Column, and stand for a moment with sticks crossed.	"
	ALL IN.

MUSIC.	MOVEMENTS.	FORMATION.
	LAUDNUM BUNCHES (CORNER DANCE).
Once to yourself.	Ju. last half-bar.	Column.
A.	Ju. last half-bar. Down-and-back, Ju. Up-and-back, j. (forming Fr.).	" " Col. to Front.
B. (Corners).
Bars 1, 2 and 3	Nos. 1 and 6 advance, at 6/3 step, and cross to each other's place.	Front.
Bar 4	Nos. 1 and 6 (having now changed corners), turn about, inward, at 6/3 step, till they face each other.	"
Bars 5 and 6	Nos. 1 and 6 advance, at 6/3 step, to centre, until they are face to face; they do not touch or pass.	"
Bars 7 and 8	Nos. 1 and 6 retire at 6/2 step, back to corners; and Ju. on half-bar of bar 8. They have now changed corners.	"
B. (Corners) (2nd time).	Nos. 2 and 5 change corners, precisely as Nos. 1 and 6 in B, 1st time.	"
B. (Centres) (3rd time).	Nos. 3 and 4 change places precisely as the others. Opposites have now all changed places.	"
A. (repeat).	Chain.	Column.
B. (Corners) (Repeat) 1st time.	Nos. 1 and 6 change corners as before.	Front.
B. (Corners) (Repeat) 2nd time.	Nos. 2 and 5 change corners as before.	"
B. (Centres) (Repeat) 3rd time.	Nos. 3 and 4 change places as before. Opposites have now all re-changed places.	"
A2.	Cross-over.	"
C. (Capers) (1st time).
Bar 1	Nos. 1 and 6 advance at 6/3 step towards the centre, facing each other's corners.	"
Bar 2 (9/8 time: 3 beats).	On beat 2, Nos. 1 and 6, their right shoulders now level, and almost touching, jump heavily on both feet, and advance, at 6/1 step, High, on beat 3.	"
Bar 3	Nos. 1 and 6 continue advance, 6/1, High.	"
Bar 4	Nos. 1 and 6 reach opposite corners and turn about to right and inward, same step.	"
Bar 5 (9/8 time: 3 beats).	Nos. 1 and 6 advance, 6/1, High, and come face to face on third beat.	"
Bars 6 and 7	Nos. 1 and 6 remain facing, and step at 6/3 step.	"
Bars 8 and 9	Nos. 1 and 6 retire to corners at 6/2 step. Ju. on half-bar of bar 9. Nos. 1 and 6 have now changed corners.	Front.
C. (Capers) (2nd time).	Nos. 2 and 5 change corners precisely as Nos. 1 and 6 in C, 1st time.
C. (Capers) (3rd time).	Nos. 2 and 4 change places precisely as the others.	"
A2. (repeat)	Back-to-back.	"
C. (Capers) (Repeat).	Movements as in first Capers. Opposites re-change places. But at the beginning of bar 6 of 3rd repeat, leader calls "All in," whereupon all turn inward, at 6/3 step, form Ring in the centre, raise the right feet; and on last beat, all throw up hands and Call.	Ring.

MUSIC.	MOVEMENTS.	FORMATION.
	COUNTRY GARDENS (HANDKERCHIEF DANCE).
Once to yourself.	Ju. last half-bar.	Column.
A1.	Down-and-back, Ju.	"
	Up-and-back, j. (forming Fr.).	Col. to Front.
B1.
Bars 1 to 4.	Hand-striking as per Notation (see p. [58]).	Front.
Bars 5 to 8.	Half-chain.	Column.
Bars 9 to 12.	Hand-striking.	Front.
Bars 13 to 16.	Half-chain. This completes the Chain.	Column.
C1.	Chain.	Column.
B2.
Bars 1 to 4.	Hand-striking.	Front.
Bars 5 to 8.	Hand-striking, repeated.	"
A2.	Cross-over.	"
B3.
Bars 1 to 4.	Hand-striking.	"
Bars 5 to 8.	Hand-striking, repeated	"
C2.	Back-to-back.	"
B4.
Bars 1 to 4.	Hand-striking.	"
Bars 5 to 7.	Hand-striking, repeated. Beginning of bar 5, leader calls "All in."	"
Bar 8.	Beat 1, all j. (giving Col. formation). Half-bar, all throw up hands.	Column.
	ALL IN.

MUSIC.	MOVEMENTS.	FORMATION.
	CONSTANT BILLY (STICK DANCE).
Once to yourself	Partners tap across, last half-bar.	Column.
A1.	Down-and-back, Ju.	"
	Up-and-back, j. (forming Front).	Col. to Front.
	Partners tap at half-bar in bars 4 and 8.
B1.
Bars 1 to 4	Tapping (see diagram, p. [54]).	"
Bars 5 to 8	Half-Chain. Tap on half-bar in bar 8.	Column.
Bars 9 to 12	Tapping, as in first 4 bars.	Front.
Bars 13 to 16	Complete Chain. Tap on last half-bar.	Column.
A2.	Chain. Tap at half-bar in bars 4 and 8.	"
B2.
Bars 1 to 4	Tapping as before.	Front.
Bars 5 to 8	Tapping as before.	"
Bars 9 to 16	Cross-over. Tap at half-bar in bars 12 and 16.	"
A3.
Bars 1 to 4	Tapping as before.	"
Bars 5 to 8	Tapping as before.	"
B3.
Bars 1 to 8	Back-to-back. Tap as in Chain, &c.	"
Bars 9 to 12	Tapping as before.	Front.
Bars 13 to 16	Tapping as before; but in bar 14 leader calls "All in," and in bar 16 all j. (to Col.), and tap across on last half-bar, holding sticks as at the beginning.	" Column.
	ALL IN.

MUSIC.	MOVEMENTS.	FORMATION.
	TRUNKLES (CORNER DANCE).
Once to yourself	Ju, last half-bar.	Column.
A1.	Down-and-back, Ju., Up-and-back, j. (forming Fr).	Column to Fr.
B1. (Corners).
(1st time). Bars 1 to 8	Nos. 1 and 6 advance at 4/3 step, beginning with the left foot, so that they are face to face at the end of bar 3.	Front.
Bar 4	At beginning, Nos. 1 and 6 stamp their right feet. Nos. 1 and 6 raise and swing their right feet and on half-bar, strike them together, sidelong; then step briskly backward to their places, making room for Nos. 2 and 5.
B1. (Corners).
(2nd time).	Nos. 2 and 5 do precisely as Nos. 1 and 6 in B1, 1st time.	"
B1. (Centres).
(3rd time).	Nos. 3 and 4 do precisely as Nos. 1 and 6 in B1, 1st time.	Front.
C1. (Capers).
(1st time). Bars 1 and 2	Nos. 1 and 6 advance at 4/3 step; pass in centre, right shoulders touching, and get to each other's places.	"
Bar 3	Nos. 1 and 6 turn about, inward and to the right, at 4/3 step.	"
Bar 4	Nos. 1 and 6 advance at 4/3 step until they come face to face, but do not touch or pass.	"
Bar 5	Nos. 1 and 6 retire, at 4/2 step, to opposite corners.	"
Bar 6	Beginning, Nos. 1 and 6 reach opposite corners. Half-bar, Nos. 1 and 6 Ju. Nos. 1 and 6 have now changed corners.	"
C1. (Capers)
(2nd time).	Nos. 2 and 5 change corners as Nos. 1 and 6 in C, 1st time.	"
C1. (Capers)
(3rd time).	Nos. 3 and 4 change places as Nos. 1 and 6 in C, first time.	"
A1. (repeat).	Chain.	Column.
B1. (repeat). (3 times).	As before, with the difference only that pairs start with right foot so that, in bar 4, they stamp and strike together the left feet.	Front.
C1. (repeat). (3 times).	As before, All change places again, returning, therefore, to original stations.	Front.
A2.	Cross-over.	"
B2. (3 times).	As in B1. Pairs start with left feet, and stamp and strike right feet in bar 4.	"
C2. (Capers). (3 times). Slower, except in last two bars, played in original time.	As in C1, except that pairs, in changing places, step rather higher to the slower music, also in the last two bars of normal time. The High Step is to be reserved for the Slow Capers in C3, and repeat.	"
A2. (repeat).	Back-to-back.	"
B2. (repeat). (3 times).	As in B1 (repeat), pairs start with right feet so that, in bar 4, they stamp and strike the left feet.	"
C2. (repeat). (3 times). Capers. Slower.	As in C2. Pairs re-change.	"
A3.	Cross-over.	"
B3. (3 times).	As in B1 and B2. Pairs start with left feet, and stamp and strike right feet.	"
C3. (Capers). (3 times).	As in C1, pairs change places.
Bars 1, 2, 3, 4 in each repetition (very slow).	In these the step is 4/1, and High—really as high as possible.	"
Bars 5 and 6 in each repetition (presto).	In these the pairs retire, after meeting in centre, at 4/2 step, lifting the feet as high as possible, and as quickly. The greater the contrast between these two quick bars and the preceding slow ones, the better the effect.	Front.
A3. (repeat).	Back-to-back.	"
B3. (repeat). (3 times).	As in B1 and B2 (repeats), pairs start with right feet, and stamp and strike left feet in bar 4.	"
C3. (Capers)
Very slow. (Repeat). (3 times).	As in C3. Pairs re-change to original places. At the beginning of bar 5, in final repetition of the music, leader calls "All in," when all draw together into Ring, throw up the right hands, raise the right feet, and Call.	" Fr. to Ring.
	ALL IN.

MUSIC.	MOVEMENTS.	FORMATION.
	RIGS O' MARLOW (STICK DANCE).
Once to yourself	Tap sticks on last two beats of bar 4.	Column.
A. (1st time).	Step 4/2 throughout "A" music in all repetitions. Down-and-back twice. Partners tap sticks across on last two beats of bars 4 and 8; but on making last tap but one, j. (forming Fr.), so that final tap is given in Front formation.	" " Col. to Front.
B.(1st time).	Double-tapping. (For instructions, see diagram, [55]).	Front.
A. (2nd time).	Chain. Tap sticks as in A, 1st time.	"
B. (2nd time).	Double-tapping, as in B, 1st time.	"
A. (3rd time).	Cross-over. Tap sticks as in A, 1st time.	"
B. (3rd time).	Double-tapping, as in B, 1st time.	"
A. (4th time).	Back-to back. Tap sticks as in A, 1st and 2nd time.	"
B. (4th time).	Double-tapping as in B, 1st and 2nd time. In bar 7, leader calls "All in," whereupon all j., giving Col. formation, in which final tap is made.	" Column.
	ALL IN.

MUSIC.	MOVEMENTS.	FORMATION.
	BLUFF KING HAL (HANDKERCHIEF DANCE.)
Once to yourself	None.	Front.
A.
Bars 1 to 4	Advance slowly, until files are face to face. On half-bar of bar 4, partners nod to one another (see instructions, [57]).	"
Bars 5 to 8	Retire to original position.	Front
B.
Bars 1 to 4	Mark time.	"
Bars 5 to 8	Advance and nod as before.	"
C.
Bars 1 to 4	Retire.	"
Bars 5 to 8	Mark time. Files link arms in last bar, and remain linked until told to loose arms.	"
A.
Bars 1 to 4	Advance as before, nod.	"
Bars 5 to 8	Retire.	"
B.
Bars 1 to 4	Mark time.	"
Bars 5 to 8	Advance as before, nod.	"
C.
Bars 1 to 4	Retire.	"
Bars 5 to 8	Loose arms. Files turn very slowly about until they are reversed.	"
A.
Bars 1 to 4	Retire, until partners' backs are all but touching.	"
Bars 5 to 8	Advance to original position.	"
B.
Bars 1 to 4	Mark time.	"
Bars 5 to 8	Retire as before.	"
C.
Bars 1 to 4	Advance as before.	Front.
Bars 5 to 8	Mark time. Link arms in last bar, and remain linked until told to loose arms.	"
A. B.	Go through same movements, linked, as in preceding A and B. Loose arms at end of B.	"
C.	Files extend into single line, facing music. To do this, Nos. 1 and 2 advance; Nos. 3 and 5 follow No. 1; Nos. 4 and 6 follow No. 2. When all are in line, with Nos. 1 and 2 at wings, Nos. 5 and 6 in centre, all face music. Distances between dancers to be kept the same as when in file.	Line.
A.
Bars 1 to 4	Mark time.	"
Bars 5 to 8	Advance.	"
B.
Bars 1 to 4	Retire.	"
Bars 5 to 8	Mark time.	"
C.
Bars 1 to 4	Advance.	"
Bars 5 to 8	Retire. Link arms in last bar.	"
A. B.	Mark time, advance and retire linked, and mark time, as in preceding A and B. In last bar, loose arms and join hands.	"
C.	Form into Ring: Nos. 1 and 2 joining hands in last bar.	Ring.
A. (8 bars), and B. (Bars 1 to 4).	Move to right, dancers making the complete circle.	"
B. Bars 5 to 8, and C. Bars 1 to 4.	Move to left, dancers nearly travelling round circle again.	"
C.
Bars 5 to 8	Nos. 5 and 6 loose hands. No. 5 joins hands with No. 1, and No. 6 with No. 2, forming two rings, one to each file. Each ring will form round about the line of position of its numbers when in file.	Two Rings.
A. (8 bars) and B. Bars 1 to 4.	Rings move to right, as single Ring previously, but making double circuit.	Two Rings.
B. Bars 5 to 8. and C. Bars 1 to 4.	Rings move to left, as single Ring previously, nearly double circuit.	"
C.
Bars 5 to 8	Rings break up and re-form line of 6 as before.	Two Rings to Line.
A. B. C.	Line mark time, advance, retire, &c., as before, link arms in last bar of C.	Line.
A. B. C.	Line as before, linked. Last 4 bars of C, break into files, in original position in Front, but reversed as before.	Line. Front.
A. B. C.	Files reversed, mark time, retire, advance, &c., as before. Link arms in last bar of C.	"
A. B. C.	Files, reversed, mark time, retire, advance, &c., as before, arms linked. Loose arms, and turn slowly about in last 4 bars of C, forming Front.	"
A. B. C.	Mark time, advance, nod, &c., as before. Link arms in last bar of C.	"
A. B. C.	Mark time, advance, &c., with linked arms, as before. At the call of "All in," the dance ends quietly on the last four bars, mark time, of C.	"

MUSIC.	MOVEMENTS.	FORMATION.
	HOW D'YE DO (CORNER DANCE).
Once to yourself.	Ju. last half-bar.	Column.
A.
(1st time).	Down-and-back, Ju. Up-and-back., j. (forming Fr.).	Column to Front.
B.
(1st time) (Corners). Bar 1.	This is the Challenge. Nos. 1 and 6 advance and shake hands, as described (see p. [58]).	Front.
Bar 2.	Nos. 2 and 5 the same.	"
Bar 3.	Nos. 3 and 4 the same.	Front.
Bar 4 and 5.	Nos. 3 and 4 pause (see p. [58]).	"
A.
(2nd time).	Chain.	Column.
B.
(2nd time) (Corners). Bar 1.	This is the Fight. Nos. 1 and 6 advance and square up, as shown in description (see p. [58]).	Front.
Bar 2.	Nos. 2 and 5 the same.	"
Bar 3.	Nos. 3 and 4 the same.	"
Bars 4 and 5.	Nos. 3 and 4 pause as before.	"
A.
(3rd time.)	Cross-over.	"
B.
(3rd time) (Corners).	This is the Reconciliation, and goes precisely as in B, 1st time.	"
A.
(4th time).	Back-to-back.	"
B.
(4th time) (Corners).	This is Good Fellowship, and goes precisely as in B, 1st and 3rd time.	"
A2.	Cross-over. As usual, up to bar 7, when leader calls "All in," whereupon all close inward into Ring in centre; throw up hands, raise right feet on last half-bar, and Call.	" Ring.
	ALL IN.