The Morris Book, Part 1: A History of Morris Dancing, With a Description of Eleven Dances as Performed by the Morris-Men of EnglandSharp, Cecil J. (Cecil James)
History
The Morris Book, Part 1: A History of Morris Dancing, With a Description of Eleven Dances as Performed by the Morris-Men of England
Sharp, Cecil J. (Cecil James)
Morris dance
In the first four bars partners advance, right shoulder to right
shoulder, but not touching, pass one another, move to the right, re-pass
partners (left shoulder to left shoulder), and retire to position, moving
backwards. Thus:
[Illustration: Fig. 1.]
In bars 4 to 8 partners advance, left shoulder to left shoulder, pass,
move to the left, retire backwards, re-passing right shoulder to right
shoulder, and so to original station. Thus:
[Illustration: Fig. 2.]
This is called in the Notation--Back-to-back.
GO-AND-COME.
This is a form of the Cross-over, but made without turning. It is
executed in Front formation, to eight bars of music. In the first two
bars partners cross exactly as in the Cross-over--right shoulder to right
shoulder. In bars 3 and 4, instead of turning, retire backwards in the
line they crossed--right shoulder to right shoulder. In bars 5 and 6 they
cross again, but left shoulder to left shoulder, and in bars 7 and 8
retire on the same line--left to left again.
This is called in the Notation--Go-and-Come.
THE RING.
In this, wherever it occurs, partners simply alter positions so that the
whole side forms a ring, or circle. It is sometimes used at the finish of
a dance; and in "Bean-setting" it occurs at the beginning. (_See_
diagrams, p. 51.)
This is called in the Notation--Ring.
STEPS IN FOREGOING EVOLUTIONS.
Unless special instructions are given to the contrary, the step used in
bars 1 and 2 of "Chain," "Cross-over," "Back-to-back" and "Go-and-come,"
is always 4/3 or 6/3, according to time, and 4/2 or 6/2 in bars 3 and 4;
likewise, 4/3 or 6/3 in bars 5 and 6, and 4/2 or 6/2 in bars 7 and 8.
THE JUMP.
The manner of the Jump has been described already (_see_ p. 33). It
remains to tell of the different ways in which the movement is employed,
and to assign to each a Notation number.
The Jump is used in two ways only, as follows:--
1. In position. That is, the dancer jumps where he stands, without
changing front.
This is called in the Notation--Ju.
2. To make a half-turn. That is, in military phrase, to make a
"half-right--or left--turn."
This is called in the Notation--j.
For direction--to left or right--of turning, _see_ instructions under
"Positions, and change of position."
The following rules as to the Jump apply to Handkerchief and Corner
dances, and are invariable. In Stick dances tapping to a great extent
takes the place of jumping, but in these, where the Jump is to be used,
it will be found marked in the Notation. Movements of the hands, which
invariably go with the Jump, will be found under heading "The Hands."
The first general rule is this: Every dancer whose turn it is to execute
any movement whatsoever, must jump on last half-bar before that movement
begins. This applies, as the case may be, to the whole side, or to any
pair of opposites about to execute any figure or movement.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account