A Couples Maypole

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Believe it or not, this is a couples dance that takes place around the maypole. 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.

Starting Position

Couples stand hand-in-hand facing counter-clockwise in a circle surronding the maypole

First Verse

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.

Second Verse

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.

Third Verse

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.

Fourth Verse

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

Fifth Verse

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.

A sound file of the music we use at the Faire.

Actually, any song can be used. All it needs is to have three separate sections of 8 measures each. There are many Irish jigs that will fit the bill. The one I've selected here is titled Mattachins.

Mattachins.mid

version last replaced 10/28/2000

A printable version of the melody.

Mattachins.gif

version last replaced 10/28/2000

A link to acquire the copyrighted versions of Faire-arranged harmonies.

Contact the Guilde Master

A text file describing the step sequence of the dance.

Couples.txt

version last replaced 10/14/00

A file containing the dance step descriptions in line with the music.

Hey, I've got a life, you know!

Any reference source information that has been provided to us.

In a minute. Sheeze!!

A demonstration of the dance (either animation or video).

Now you KNOW this is gonna take some time.