Gerry Gray
RE: Marine Four-Step
May 7, 2006, 6:49 p.m. (Message 45188)
Here is the description from Michael Gwynnes 1953 edition of Old Time and
Sequence Dancing. I also have a description from Victor Silvesters 1950
book Sequence Dancing, but it is much longer.
James Finnegan, who also wrote what is now known as the Military Two-Step,
named his Marine Four Step after the Marine Gardens Ballroom in Portobello
Edinburgh, where he was the MC. It was also a tribute to the Royal Marines
and therefore martial music is the most appropriate to use when dancing it.
Marine Four-Step
James Finnigan
Time 2/4 Tempo 56 - 16 Bar Sequence
Commencing position similar to the Veleta.
Count
Man
Bars
1, 2, 3
Barn Dance Forward LF RF LF
2
4
RF forward to 4th pos point with temps levé on LF
1, 2, 3
Barn Dance Against LOD back RF LF RF
4
4
LF forward to 4th pos point with temps levé on RF
1 and 2
Pas de Basque outward LF RF LF
5
3 and 4
Pas de Basque inwards RF LF RF (similar to Boston Two-Step)
6
1 and 2
Waltz outwards, LF RF LF
7
3 and 4
Waltz outwards, RF LF RF (similar to Latchford Scottische but finished
facing diag to wall down line of dance taking double hold
8
1
LF to side along LOD (line of dance)
2
Cross RF over LF (forward along LOD)
9
3
LF to side along LOD
4
Point RF forward down LOD
10
1
RF back against LOD
2
LF back against LOD
11
3
RF back against LOD
4
Close LF to RF without weight, assume waltz hold
12
Waltz right turns commencing rotary turn. Finish on last bar opening to
commencing position in similar manner to Veleta
13-16
The Barn Dance can be danced with a Gavotte step closing to 3rd pos and
omitting the Temps levé.
Ladys steps are normal opposite