Longways dances written by

Geof Owen  
Folk Dance Caller and Choreographer

 
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Click here for an alphabetical listing of dances
or click on the shape below to see dances in that shape
Circle Sicilian Circle Dances for 3 couples Dances for 4 couples  
Dances for 5 couples Dances for 6 couples Longways Squares Other
  Name
3 o'clock in the morning
© Geof Owen 2016
  Date written 2016
Format Longways - 1st couple improper
Note: Moves A1 5-8 & A2 1-4 are like a reverse Rory O'More
A1 1-4 All face neighbour and do-si-do left shoulder once and a quarter into an ocean wave without hands.
5-8 All set left and right and turn single left moving one place to the left.
A2 1-4 All set right and left and turn single right moving one place to the right.
5-8 Men allemande right half way and swing partner. Finish facing into the set.
B1 1-4 Long lines go forward and back.
5-8 Hands four and circle left ¾ and California twirl.
B2  1-8 In new fours, right hand star and left hand star back.
Notes first published on this website in 2017
  Suggested Tunes Sunshine Reels-Razzmataz-Chris, Julie & Nick Dewhurst
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Name
All Right on the Night
© Geof Owen 2016
Date written 2016
Format Longways - Beckett formation
A1 1-4 Long lines go forward and back.
5-8 Do-si-do opposite by the right shoulder.
A2 1-4 In fours, circle right.
5-8 Come back with a right hand star.
B1 1-4 Men pass right and cast left to finish in opposite lady's place while ladies ricochet*. (All facing partner across the set. Men's side couple [improper] above ladies' side couple [proper])
5-8 In fours, circle right ¾.
B2 1-4 Do-si-do partner by the right shoulder.
5-8 On the right diagonal, right and left through.
  *Ricochet: As the men cross, ladies go forward to meet, touch hands and fall back into partner's place.
Notes first published on this web site 2016
Suggested Tunes Mark in Thyme – Connections-Dave Brown
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Name
Above and Below
© Geof Owen 2018
Tune: 32 bars
Date written 2018
Format Longways - first couple improper, Double progression
A1 1-4 Long lines go forward and back.
5-8 All two hand turn neighbour once round and stay facing.
A2 1-4 Mirror image gypsy with neighbour, first couple going between second couple to start. First couple finish facing up and second couple finish facing down.
5-8 With this new neighbour, mirror image gypsy with first couple going between second couple. This should feel like a reel for three on the side.
B1 1-4 In original fours, right hand star once round.
5-8 With new neighbours, left hand star once round.
B2 1-8 In original fours, draw poussette halfway, men pulling then, with new neighbours, draw poussette halfway, men pulling.
Notes first published on this web site 2018
Suggested Tunes Waterfall- Gingerbread and Moonshine - Dave Brown
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Name
Arboretum Roundabout
© Geof Owen 1996
Tune: 32 bars
Date written 1996
Format Longways - first couple improper
A1 1-4 First couple set right and left, then two hand turn half way
5-8 First man and second lady (first corners) set right and left, then two hand turn half way
A2 1-4 First lady and second man (second corners) set right and left, then two hand turn half way
5-8 Second couple set right and left, then two hand turn half way
B1 1-4 In original fours, circle left half way and fall back
5-8 Starting with partner, two changes of a circular hey
B2 1-8 Ladies chain there and back
Notes first published in "Saddlers' Salad"
Suggested Tunes Round Robin on "Round Robin" CD by The Flying Romanos (N x 32 bars)
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Name
Barnes Close
© Geof Owen 1997
Tune: 32 bars
Date written 1997
Format Longways - first couple improper
A1 1-4 Do-si-do partner
5-8 In fours, right hand star
A2 1-4 Do-si-do neighbour on the side
5-8 In fours, left hand star
B1 1-2 Man casts round lady on his left to next man's place
3-4 Two hand turn half way with opposite
5-6 Lady casts round man on her left to next lady's place
7-8 Two hand turn half way with partner
B2 1-4 Men set towards each other and turn single back to place
5-8 Ladies set towards each other and turn single back to place
Notes first published in "A Second Helping of Saddlers' Salad"
Suggested Tunes Frost and Snow on "Wassail" by Magpie Lane
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Name Best Foot Forward
© Geof Owen 2016
Date written 2016
Format Longways – 1st couples improper
Note  
A1 1-8 Face neighbour to begin a reel - pass neighbour right, go left shoulder round next neighbour, pass original neighbour right and go left round next neighbour. All home.
A2 1-4 Starting with neighbour, right and left through (2 changes).
5-8 Do-si-do partner by the left.
B1 1-4 In fours, ladies cross, men cross.
5-8 Do-si-do neighbour.
B2 1-4 In fours, circle left halfway and California twirl.
5-8 In new fours, circle left.
Notes first published on this web site 2016
Suggested Tunes Louth Quickstep – Joanna – The Bismarks
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Name Border Crossing
©Geof Owen 1998
Tune 32 bars
Date written 1998
Format Longways 1st couple improper
A1 1-4 First man dances a hey for three with second man and first lady below
5-8 First lady dances a hey for three with second lady and first man below
A2 1-4 On the right diagonal, set and individually change across
5-8 All chasse four steps to the right, ends go round the corner, finish facing partner
B1 1-4 Set to partner and two changes of circular hey starting with partner
5-8 All do-si-do partner
B2 1-4 Second couples cast down to finish outside original first couples all facing down All join hands and set right and left
5-8 First couples gate second couples in and up to progressed places, turn to face partner
Notes first published in "A Final Helping of Sadler‘s salad"
Suggested Tunes The Charmer*Face the Music*Two’s Company
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Name Elverton Grove Revisited
Interpretation by Geof Owen 2017
Tune - 32 bars
Date written 2017
Format Longways - proper
A1 1-2 All turn single left.
3-4 All set forward and back
5-8 Partners cross and loop right to face.
A2 1-2 All turn single left.
3-4 All set forward and back.
5-8 Partners cross and loop right to face.
B1 1-4 Men lead through the ladies and cast back to place.
5-8 Ladies lead through the men and cast back to place.
B2 1-6 First couple ¾ of figure of eight with second couple below, start by casting down then cross up and cast down again as second couple move up.
7-12 Second couple ¾ of figure of eight with first couple below, start by casting down then cross up and cast down again as first couple move up.
13-14 Hands four, circle left halfway. .
Notes first published on this web site 2017
Suggested Tunes Elverton Grove - Still Not Quite Playford-West Kirby Folk Dance Band
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Name Fenny Bentley
© Geof Owen 2015
Date written 2015
Format Longways
Note 2 couples facing 2 couples in headlines in a longways set
A1 1-4 In fours star right half way and turn single left.
5-8 Middle four star left halfway while ends left hand turn half way. All turn single right.
A2 1-4 In fours set and then first corners cross.
5-8 Men swing your nearest lady. Finish with lady on the right.
B1 1-4 In fours circle left.
5-8 Middle men lead your circle out into head lines and turn single left. (Opposite partner)
B2 1-4 In fours set and then first corners cross.
5-8 Swing partner and finish facing in original direction.
Notes first published on this web site 2015
Suggested Tunes Jig of Slurs - Come Dancing - Climax Ceilidh Band
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Name Fiery Angels
© Geof Owen 2003
Tune - 32 bars
Date written 2003
Format Longways - proper
A1 1-4 First corners left hand turn half way, then all right hand turn partner half way
5-8 On the left diagonal, those who can left hand turn all the way.
A2 1-4 All do-si-do partner along the line.
5-8 All set to corner and petronella turn moving one place to the right round minor set. (All back home).
B1 1-4 Second corners right hand turn half way, then all left hand turn partner half way.
5-8 On the right diagonal, those who can right hand turn all the way
B2 1-4 In your fours, circle left ¾.
5-8 First corners cross and all petronella turn moving one place to the right round minor set.
Notes first published in a Lead a Merry dance
Suggested Tunes Congress Reel on "Outside the Square" by Dave Brown
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  Name
Fit for the Festival
© Geof Owen 2019
  Date written 2019
Format Longways - Beckett
A1 1-4 Long lines go forward and back.
5-8 Individually, on the right diagonal, set and right hand turn halfway.
A2 1-4 Long lines go forward and back.
5-8 In new fours, as couples (1st couples facing up, 2nd couples facing down), star right ¾.
B1 1-4 Back to back neighbour.
5-8 In new fours, as couples, circle right ¾.
B2  1-4 Swing partner.
5-8 On the right diagonal, right and left through.
Notes first published on this website
  Suggested Tunes Black and Grey - Interesting Times - Momentum
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  Name
Forth Dimension
© Geof Owen 2003
  Date written 2003
Format Longways set — Beckett formation
A1 1-4 In fours, men set to each other R and L, cross by the R and cast one place L.
5-8 All chasse two steps to the L to finish opposite partner and turn single R
A2 1-4 In fours circle L.
5-8 Set the middle and turn single out to the R
B1 1-4 In fours, ladies set to each other R and L
cross by the right and cast one place L
5-8 All chassee two steps to the L to finish in progressed Becket formation
Turn single R
B2  1-4 On the L diagonal, R and L through to change places
5-8 In new fours RH star
Notes first published in a Lead a Merry dance
  Suggested Tunes Seton’s Ceilidh Band Jig on “Scottish Collection” Compilation
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  Name
The Golden Primrose
© Geof Owen 2018 from a dance by Fried de Metz Herman
  Date written 2018
Format Longways
Note  
A1 1-2 First couple with inside hands joined, set forward to second lady.
3-4 These three turn single right.
5-8 First couple and second lady star right plus one place.
A2 1-2 First couple with inside hands joined, set forward to second man.
3-4 These three turn single right.
5-8 First couple and second man star right plus one place. (all now progressed and improper).
B1 1-4 Left hand star with next couple, first couple going down, second couple going up, once round.
5-8 With original neighbours single file clockwise halfway to original place.
B2  1-2 All set right and left to corner.
3-6 In fours, right hand star once round.
7-8 Face neighbour and pass through.
Notes on this web site
  Suggested Tunes The Silver Primrose - Note Quite the Same - The West Kirby Band
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Name
Guildhall
© Geof Owen 1997
Date written 1997
Format Longways - Beckett formation
A1 1-4 All do-si-do partner
5-8 All do-si-do opposite
A2 1-4 On the left diagonal, right and left through to change places
5-8 In fours, circle left half way, and turn single to the left
B1 1-4 Set right and left to opposite couple and cross over
5-8 Set right and left to opposite couple and cross over
B2 1-8 In fours, right hand star and back with left hand star
Notes first published in "A Second Helping of Sadler's"
Suggested Tunes For Beth on "Sold as Heard" by Stowfolk
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Name
The Happy Skipper
© Geof Owen 2002
Tune - 7x40bars
Date written 2002
Format Longways - first couple improper
A1 1-4 Ladies do-si-do.
5-8 Men do-si-do
A2 1-8 In fours, right hand star and back with left hand star.
A3 1-4 In fours, circle left half way and cross back.
5-8 All set to partner and turn single.
B1 1-4 With new second couple below, in fours, men cross and ladies cross.
5-8 In same fours, right and left through (two changes)
B2 1-8 With original second couple above, face partner and men with corner lady, full ladies chain
Notes first published in "Footnotes"
Suggested Tunes Miss Greaves Delight on The Other Blackburne Tunes by Stowfolk
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  Name
Hills of Alva
© Geof Owen 2016
  Date written 2016
Format Longways - 1st couples improper
A1 1-4 First couple in middle of line of four facing down. Lead down and tag the line.
5-8 Lead back up and bend the line.
A2 1-4 In fours circle left.
5-8 In fours left hand star.
B1 1-4 Long lines fall back and come forward.
5-8 Do-si-do partner.
B2  1-4 Join hands in fours and balance then petronella turn one place to the right.
5-8 Join hands in fours and balance then petronella turn one place to the right.
C1 1-4 In fours, men cross, ladies cross.
5-8 Right and left through (2 changes).
C2 1-4 All two hand turn.
5-8 First couple swing to the middle of a line of four facing down.
Notes first published on this web site 2016
  Suggested Tunes Hills of Alva - Upstream - The Bismarks
  Click to hear the tube on You Tube®
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Name Interesting Times
© Geof Owen 1996
Date written 1996
Format Longways - first couple improper
A 1-8 First man right arm turn second lady,
left arm turn first lady,
right arm turn second man and back to place.
Join hands in fours and balance forward and back
9-16 First lady right arm turn second man,
left arm turn first man,
right arm turn second lady and back to place.
Join hands in fours and balance forward and back
B 1-4 In fours, circle left all the way
5-8 First couple drop hands and form line of four facing up.
Lead up a double and back
9-12 Second couple gate first couple half way and
all balance right and left
13-16 Lead down a double and back
C 1-4 Bend line into ring of four and circle right
5-8 Left hand star
9-12 Join hands along the line,
set right and left and cross over
13-16 Join hands along the line,
set right and left and,
in fours, circle left half way
Notes first published in "Saddlers' Salad"
Suggested Tunes Foxhunter on "Sold As Heard" CD by Stowfolk (N x 48 bars)
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  Name
Mobius
© Geof Owen 2015
  Date written 2015
Format Longways - 1st couples improper
Note This is to get the dancers in correct place but you dance as an individual.
Even number of couples.
A1 1-4 Long lines fall back and come forward.
5-8 Singly on the right diagonal, right hand turn.
A2 1-4 With person opposite, back to back
5-8 Singly on the left diagonal, left hand turn.
B1 1-4 Set and petronella turn one place to the right finishing opposite someone of the opposite sex. There will be a couple at the top and bottom without anyone opposite.
5-8 Men swing the lady on your right and finish with her on the right. The end people on each side of the set change over.
B2  1-4 With person opposite, two hand turn.
5-8 All set and turn single
Notes first published on this web site 2015
  Suggested Tunes Royall Fishery – Emperor of the Moon – Paul Hutchinson & John Hymas
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Name
Monty Goes Forth
© Geof Owen 2017
Tune: 32 bars
Date written 2017
Format Longways
A1 1-4 Men lead between the ladies and cast back.
5-8 In fours circle left ¾.
A2 1-4 Ladies lead through the men and cast back.
5-8 In fours circle left ¾
B1 1-4 All back to back partner.
5-8 Straight poussette halfway, first man push, second man pull.
B2 1-4 In fours circle left halfway and fall back.
5-8 All set and lead forward.
Notes first published on this web site 2017
Suggested Tunes Tune: Canadian Jigs-Razzmatazz-3D
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Name
The Next Step
© Geof Owen 2016
Date written 2016
Format Longways –1st couples improper
A1 1-4 All gypsy right with neighbour.
5-8 Swing neighbour and face across.
A2 1-4 Join hands in fours, set and circle half way.
5-8 Pass through across the set and courtesy turn.
B1 1-4 Do-si-do new neighbour.
5-8 Right hand star in this progressed minor set.
B2 1-4 Left hand star in original minor set.
5-8 Long lines fall back and come forward.
Notes first published on this web site 2016
Suggested Tunes Jig of Slurs — Come dancing — Climax Ceilidh Band
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Name
Not Quite Tea Time
© Geof Owen 1998
Tune - 32bars
Date written 1998
Format Longways - Triple Minor
A1 1-8 First man sets to second lady and then to third lady, circle three to the left
A2 1-8 First lady sets to second man and then to third man, circle three to the left
B1 1-4 First man crosses with second lady and then with third man
5-8 First lady crosses with second man and then with third lady
B2 1-4 Circle six to the left half way
5-8 Second and third couples face and two hand turn half way, first couple cross and cast below second couple who move up
Notes first published in "A Final Helping of Sadler‘s salad"
Suggested Tunes Miss Sally Surman’s Delight, Face the Music, Two’s Company
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  Name
Off the Rails
© Geof Owen 2001
  Date written 2001
Format Longways set — first couples improper
A1 1-4 First lady sets to first man and second lady right and left.
Those three right hand star halfway.
(Second man should move up slightly to form a diamond).
5-8 All set to partner and first lady and second man change across
A2 1-4 Do-si-do opposite (man with man and lady with lady)
5-8 With partner fall back and come forward forming diagonal lines with second lady between first couple and first man between second couple
B1 1-8 In your diagonal lines, ladies face and men face and hey for four back to these places.
B2 1-4 With partner fall back and come forward forming diagonal lines with first man and second lady in the middle
5-8 Draw poussette men pulling to change places and two hand turn halfway into progressed places
Notes first published in "Step This Way"
  Suggested Tunes *Huffin’ and Puffin’*Cumbriana Jones*Cumbrian Gap*
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  Name
The Penny Drops
© Geof Owen 2015
  Date written 2015
Format Longways
A1 1-4 First couple cast down and come up to finish between second couple facing neighbour
5-8 Hay for four half way, first couple finishing facing down.
A2 1-4 First couple cross down and cast up to place.
5-8 Second couple half a figure of eight up.
B1 1-4 Hands four and balance the ring. Petronnella turn one place to the right.
5-8 Hands four and balance the ring. Petronnella turn one place to the right.
B2  1-4 All set and two hand turn partner half way.
5-8 Long lines fall back and come forward.
Notes first published on this web site 2015
  Suggested Tunes Face the Music - Face the Music - Two’s Company
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  Name
Plain Sailing
© Geof Owen 2019
  Date written 2019
Format Longways
A1 1-4 Whirligig - First couple cast down and lead up while second couple lead up and cast down. All finish facing up.
5-8 Lead up a double, turn individually and lead back. Stay facing up.
A2 1-4 Whirligig - First couple lead down and cast up while second couple cast up and lead down. All finish facing down
5-8 Lead down a double, turn individually and lead back. Stay facing up.
B1 1-2 First couple cast to end of line of four and face down while second couple turn single away and finish in middle of line of four facing down.
3-4 Lines lead down.
5-8 Lines fall back and bend the line.
B2  1-4 Hands four and circle left once round.
5-8 Long lines fall back and come forward.
Notes first published on this website
  Suggested Tunes Midnight Ramble - By Request - Bare Necessities
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Name
Sapphire Steps
© Geof Owen 2017
Tune: 32 bars
Date written 2017
Format Longways - first couple improper
A1 1-4 Long lines go forward and back
5-8 All do-si-do partner.
A2 1-4 In fours, circle left half way and, if there is a couple behind you, trail with man leading to change places. **
5-8 With new neighbours circle left halfway and set to neighbour.
B1 1-4 Pass through up and down the set and circle left halfway with the couple you meet.
5-8 In these fours, left hand star once round.
B2 1-4 With original neighbours, right hand star once round.
5-8 With original neighbour, two hand turn.
Notes first published on this web site 2017

**This is part of the move serpentine progression in Garry Roodman's "Terpsicourante". It's like a back ring with the couples not joining hands with the other couple.
Suggested Tunes Canadian Jigs-Razzmatazz-3D
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Name
Scattered Showers
© Geof Owen 2015
Date written 2015
Format Longways - Duble Minor
A1 1-2 In fours, right hand star halfway.
3-6 First couple with second couple below, left hand star once round.
7-8 First couple with original second couple, right hand star halfway.
A2 1-8 First couple lead down through second couple, handy-hand turn with next second couple (men right & ladies left), cross up to place and turn single up and away.
B1 1-8 Second couple lead up through first couple, handy-hand turn with next first couple (2nd man left & second lady right), cross down to place and turn single down and away.
B2 1-4 In fours, circle left halfway and turn single left.
5-8 All back to back partner by the left.
Notes first published on this web site 2015
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Name
Short and Sweet Again
© Geof Owen 2002
Tune - 7x16 bar
Date written 2002
Format Longways
A 1-8 First corners right hand turn halfway, second corners join in for right star halfway
9-16 Face partner (up and down) and do-si-do
B 1-8 In fours, join hands and balance in and out, and cast one place to the right (Petronella turn)
9-16 Starting with partner, four changes of a circular hey
Notes first published in "Foot notes"
Suggested Tunes La Gigue Francaise in Jump for Joy by The Carnival Band
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Name
Time to Spare
© Geof Owen 2002
Tune - 7x32bars
Date written 2002
Format Longways - First couple improper
A1 1-4 Men do-si-do while ladies cast round neighbour into each other's place.
5-8 Ladies do-si-do while men cast round partner into each other's place.
A2 1-4 Take hands along the line, fall back and come forward.
5-8 First couple with new second couple below, two changes of a circular hey
B1 1-4 First couple with second couple above, right hand star.
5-8 First couple with second couple below, left hand star
B2 1-4 All do-si-do partner
5-8 In new fours, circle left all the way
Notes first published in "Foot notes"
Suggested Tunes Thyme On My Hands on Face the Music by Two's Company
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Name
Todleth Hill
© Geof Owen 1997
Date written 1997
Format Longways - First couple improper
A1 1-4 Set right and left to partner and turn single
5-8 Set right and left to corner and turn single
A2 1-4 In fours, circle left
5-8 In fours, right hand star
B1 1-4 First couples face down, second couples face up, two changes of a grand chain along the line, end couples change across
5-8 Do-si-do the person you meet on the side
B2 1-4 Lines go forward and back
5-8 In fours, four changes of a circular hey
Notes first published in "A Second Helping of Sadler's"
Suggested Tunes Trip to Paris on "Playford Pops" by Chris Dewhurst
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Name
Trip to Leyburn
© Geof Owen 2002
Tune - 7x32bars
Date written 2002
Format Longways proper
A1 1-4 First corners do-si-do
5-8 First corners cast round partner to change places
A2 1-4 Second corners do-si-do
5-8 Second corners cast round partner to change places.

(All progressed and improper)
B1 1-4 In original fours, set to partner and, starting with partner, right and left through (two changes)
5-8 First corners cross, second corners cross
B2 1-4 With partner, right hand turn half way and turn single to the left
5-8 In original fours, circle right
Notes first published in "Foot notes"
Suggested Tunes Beautiful Fields on Face the Music by Two's Company
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Name
Waiting for R and J
© Geof Owen 2003
Tune - 7x32bars
Date written 2003
Format Longways first couple improper
A1 1-6 All face across and do-si-do partner one and a half.
7-8 Second couple cast up on end of line of four facing up with first couple in the middle.
A2 1-4 Lines lead up two steps and men with their neighbour turn as a couple. Lead back down and close to a ring.
5-8 All face across, set to partner and cross. Second couple finishing outside the first couple, all facing down in a line of four.
B1 1-4 Lines lead down a double, all turn single, lead up and close into a ring.
5-8 Men right hand turn half way then ladies join hands across to star half way.
B2 1-4
5-8 All two hand turn half way and first couple cast down, second couple moving up.
Notes first published in a Lead a Merry dance
Suggested Tunes Cooley's Reel on "Outside the Square" by Dave Brown
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