THE FALKIRK LASS
THREE COUPLES 8 x 32 STRATHSPEY
The Merse Collection [Elaine Brunken]
1-4 1st couple turn by the right hand, and cast off one place. (2nd couple step up on 3 and 4).
5-8 1st couple cross by the left hand, 1st lady cast down around 3rd man, to finish between 3rd couple as 1st man casts up around 2nd woman, to finish between 2nd couple (all face up or down).
9-12 All advance for one step, retire for one step and change places by the right hand, up and down the dance.
13-16 All advance for one step, retire for one step, 2nd and 3rd couples change places by the right hand, up and down the dance while the 1st couple turns ¾ by the right hand to face 1st corners.
17-20 1st corners pass and turn: 1st couple dance around 1st corners by the right shoulder, dance in through the ends and pass each other by the right shoulder, up and down the dance to face 2nd corners, while corners dance in (1 bar), turn with two hands (1 bar), and dance out to place (2 bars).
21-24 2nd corners pass and turn, 1st couple pass right shoulders to finish to finish in 2nd place on their own sides.
25-32 All three couples circle round to the left and back to the right.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
REST AND BE THANKFUL
The Grampian Collection of Scottish Country Dances by Jack McConachie
Longways Sets in Reel time for 4 (or 5) couples —
1–4 First couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place on the opposite side. Second couple move up on Bars 3 – 4.
5–8 First couple, giving left hands, cross over and first lady casts up round second lady, while first man casts off round third man, to finish beside their 1st Corner.
9–12 First couple, holding their 1st Corner in Promenade position on their right, leads them round behind their 2nd Corner and places them in the opposite 1st Corner position. At the same time the 2nd Corners Advance towards each other and Retire.
13–16 First couple turn each other with left hands to finish beside their 2nd Corner.(Turn strongly for one and a quarter times.)
17–20 First couple, holding their 2nd Corner in Promenade position on their right, leads them round behind their 1st Corners (who are on the wrong side) and places them in the opposite 2nd Corner position. At the same time the 1st Corners Advance towards each other and Retire.
21–24 First couple turn each other with left hands to finish facing their usual 1st Corner position (first lady faces third lady while first man faces second man).
25–28 First couple dance a half Reel of Four diagonally across the Set with their 1st Corners — first couple, passing by the right to begin, curve by their right round the 1st Corner position, while the Corners pass each other by the left in the middle to their own sides.
29–32 First couple, passing each other by the right in the middle, dance a half Reel of Four diagonally across the Set with their 2nd Corners—again passing by the right to begin, then crossing over by the right to finish in 2nd place on their own sides.
First couple repeat from the 2nd place and cross by the left, down between fourth couple, to the bottom. Each couple repeat in turn as first couple.
Flowers of Edinburgh
RSCDS Book 1 – No. 6
32-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set
1–6 1st woman casts off two places, crosses to the opposite side and dances up behind 2nd and 3rd men to her partner’s original place. 1st man follows his partner, crossing over and dancing behind 2nd and 3rd women, and up the middle to his partner’s original place.
7–8 1st couple set to each other.
9–14 1st couple repeat bars 1-6, with 1st man casting off and 1st woman following. 1st couple finish in original places.
15–16 1st couple set to each other.
17–24 1st couple lead down the middle and up to finish facing each other in the middle of the set with both hands joined. 2nd couple step in.
25–32 1st and 2nd couples dance a poussette.
Repeat, having passed a couple.
Kate Hughes’ Dancing Book (MS), Dundalk 1867.
Original tune: Flowers of Edinburgh (Traditional)