strathspey@strathspey.org:11809

Martin.Sheffield

Re: Wedding Dance Help, and +

April 26, 1998, 1:27 p.m. (Message 11809)

It's getting a bit late to answer, as there have already been so many
suggestions, but I'd like to mention a dance that I was taught about a year
ago, and that I have been using successfully ever since, whenever I am
confronted with non-dancers who want to dance but don't want to spend time
learning.

"British man-of-war" is an easy and fun round-the room dance, couple facing
couple.
(Circle four. One cp lead through the other, cast back and turn/swing.
Other cp lead through likewise. All progress four places with dip-and-dive
arches.)

Unfortunately, I do not know the origin of the dance.

Someone may be able to enlighten me.

For a 3-facing-3 dance, "Highland reel" seems to be easier to pick up than
"Dashing white Sergeant".
But perhaps the latter has been banned by the PC people anyway ...

I hope they haven't banned the tune of that name; it has been one of my
favorites since we danced and sang it at primary school.
Something like:
"Now the fiddler's ready let us all begin,
and step it out and step it in,
with the merry music of the violin,
we'll dance the hours away"
(after which my memory fails me, and it ends)
"Dance till dawn be in the skies.
Dance till sleep be in your eyes"
(do whatever you like, but)
"Dance, dance, dance."

The words have nothing to do with the title, so if someone would kindly
fill in the gaps, I'd be delighted, and I don't thnk anyone could take
offence.

Martin,
  Grenoble, France.
------------------      http://perso.wanadoo.fr/scots.in.france