Ardbrae Dancers of Ottawa
Video: The Irish Rover
The Irish Rover
RSCDS 30 Popular Dances, Vol. 2
A 32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 8 1st couple dance down between 3rd couple, cast up one place on own side; 1st woman dances right hands across with 2nd couple while 1st man dances right hands across with 3rd couple. 2nd couple step up on bars 1 — 2.
9 – 12 1st couple dance half reels of four with first corners, then;
13 – 16 1st couple dance half reels of four with second corners. On bar 16, 1st couple turn left hand in centre ready to;
17 – 24 Pass left shoulders with person in first corner’s position for two reels of three across the dance. 1st couple finish in second place on own side.
25 – 32 1st couple dance diagonal rights and lefts:
25 – 26 1st couple change places with person in their first corner’s position (i.e. 1st woman right hand to 3rd woman and 1st man right hand to 2nd man).
27 – 28 Change left hand on sides; 1st woman with 2nd man, 1st man with 3rd.woman. (First corners now back in original places).
29 – 30 1st woman changes places giving right hand ‘to 3rd man (in 2nd woman’s position), while 1st man changes places giving right hand to 2nd woman (in 3rd man’s position).
31 – 32 1st and 2nd women and 1st and 3rd men change places, giving left hands on own side of the dance.
Repeat having passed a couple.
Devised by James B. Cosh.
Original tune: The Irish Rover – Traditional.
Source: Twenty -Two Scottish Country Dances by James B. Cosh and Two Others.
On the fourth of July eighteen hundred and six
We set sail from the sweet cove of Cork
We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
For the grand city hall in New York
‘Twas a wonderful craft, she was rigged fore-and-aft
And oh, how the wild winds drove her
She’d stood several blasts, she had twenty-seven masts
And we called her the Irish Rover.
The Irish Rover tune is from a traditional Irish folk song about a magnificent but improbable sailing ship that after seven years at sea eventually sinks, leaving a sole survivor: the song narrator!
Video: Thank You Patricia
Thank You Patricia
RSCDS Book 54
A 32-bar strathspey for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1 – 4 1st couple set and dance a petronella turn. 2nd couple step up on bars 3 – 4.
5 – 6 1st and 2nd couples set, on bar 6 1st couple advancing to finish in a line across the dance, with 1st woman facing 2nd man and 1st man facing 2nd woman.
7 – 8 1st woman with 2nd man, and 1st man with 2nd woman, giving both hands, turn once round to finish with 1st woman facing her first corner and her partner behind her.
9 – 12 1st couple dance a half reel of three in tandem with lead change with first corners. 1st couple pass 2nd man by the right to begin. 1st man finishes facing partner’s second corner, with his partner behind him.
13 – 16 1st couple dance a half reel of three in tandem with lead change with second corners. 1st couple pass 3rd man by the right to begin. 1st couple finish in the middle of the set, facing up with nearer hands joined, 1st woman curving round to the right to finish on the right of her partner.
17 – 20 1st couple dance up and cast off to second place on own sides.
21 – 24 1st couple, giving right hands, turn once round, while 2nd and 3rd couples set and, giving right hands, turn halfway. All three couples finish in allemande hold.
25 – 32 3rd, 1st and 2nd couples dance an allemande.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Devised by Deb Lees, RSCDS Newcastle-upon-Tyne & District Branch.
Patricia Cass played piano for the Newcastle Branch Scottish country dancing and Ladies Step classes, often working with Deb Lees as teacher. This dance was written by Deb in conjunction with other members of the Branch class, in appreciation of Patricia’s skill and commitment over many years.
The reels in the dance are a reference to the dance John Cass (RSCDS Book 49) which was written for Patricia’s husband. However, in Patricia’s dance, the woman leads the first tandem reel, reflecting Patricia’s strength as a dancer as well as a musician. Patricia played a key role in the development and
organisation of the Newcastle Festival, held in February each year.
As Deb frequently found herself saying, “Thank you Patricia!”
Video: The Greenbelt Jig
The Greenbelt Jig
Elaine Brunken, Moments int Time
32 Bar Jig for 3 couples
1 – 6 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ladies Dance around their partners passing Right shoulder, and dance back to place.
7 – 8 1st, 2nd, and 3 couples Cross over giving Right Hands. (All are on opposite sides)
9 – 14 1st, 2nd, and 3″ men Dance around their partners passing Right shoulder, and dance back to place (Opposite sides).
15 – 16 1st, 2nd, and 3rd couples Cross over giving Right Hands. (1st couple remain facing out)
17 – 24 1st couple Cast off 2 places, join nearer hands and Dance up the middle, and Cast off to 2nd place.
17 – 19 cast 2 places (2nd couple step up on 17&18)
20 – 22 dance up the middle
23 – 24 cast to 2 place
25 – 28 2nd, 1st and 3 couples Advance and Retire.
29 – 32 2nd 1st and 3rd couples Turn by the Right Hand.
At the end of 2 repetition 1st couple finish in 3rd place and step to the bottom The new 3rd lady dances up from the bottom. 3 man steps up on bars 1-2
Repeat having passed a couple
Devised in March 2010 at the St. Columba’s Class in Greenbelt, Maryland. It’s an easy wee jig for all levels and a good warm up dance.
Easily adapts to a 2 couple dance: 1-16 and 25-32 done by 1st and 2nd couple. Bars 17-24 1st couple cast off one place in 4 bars (dance in for one and out for one, then cast for 2), dance up to the top, and cast into 2nd place. (2nd couple step up on 19 & 20)
Suggested Tune: Ride the Wind (Tatsu-Do) (Muriel Johnstone)