Couples Dance

Believe it or not, this is a couples dance that takes place around the maypole.  Again, any music is fine, although it will be easier for the dancers to have three sections of eight measures each.  A tune in 6/8 time would be nice; perhaps an Irish jig.

Intro:  Couples stand in the normal country dance posture facing counter-clockwise around the circle.  The woman should be in the outside circle.

A1.  Beginning on the right foot, skip around the pole for 12 beats (2 beats per measure).  On the next four beats, the couples swing around to face the pole, and all join hands.
B1.  Skip forward four beats, skip back four beats.  Repeat.
C1.  In a two-person right-handed star, couples skip around each other, ending with the women in the inside circle with their backs to the maypole.  The men face their partners.

A2.  Set right, set right again!!  Hop on the right foot and point the left foot forward; hop on the right foot and touch the left toe to the left heel.  Do the same but reverse the feet.  Then repeat the whole thing.
B2.  In a two-person right-handed star, couples skip around each other, ending in a single circle and join hands.
C2.  Slip left eight; slip right eight.

A3.  Skip forward four; skip back four.  Repeat.
B3.  One couple skips to the pole, and each takes a ribbon.  They skip back into the circle.  The next couple does the same.
C3.  The third couple does the same; the fourth couple does the same.

4.  Women face clockwise; men face counter-clockwise.  Basic weaving step (a total of 24 skips / 48 beats)

A5.  Skip forward four and drip ribbons; join hands in a circle, skip back four.  Repeat skipping.
B5.  Slip left eight; slip right eight.
C5.  One couple breaks their grip on the couple ahead.  This couple skips out of the dancing circle.