John Meechan

Facing opposite and starting with left hand grand chain for two people (go round at the ends)
Turn the third left hand one and a half;
Ladies chain halfway.

Pass the Ocean;
Balance the wave;
Women left hand turn one and a half WHILST men orbit halfway clockwise.

Gypsy meltdown with partner.

Long lines forward and back;
Ladies chain halfway.

8/7/03

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ALL THE THREES (White Hart Waltz) - LDI 32 bar waltzes

Balance forward and back with opposite and star through;
Balance the ring and Petronella turn one place anti-clockwise

A2 as A1 but with partner

Left hand star halfway (4 waltz steps)
with new opposite - Right hand turn all around (4 waltz steps)

Left hands with the original opposite -
Balance left and right;
Starting with opposite - 3 changes of square through starting with left hand and taking 2 waltz steps per change.

Completed at the White Hart Hotel, Salisbury and named the White Hart Waltz and then I realised the date - 03/03/03 and it being a waltz .....

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ALPHA AND OMEGA STAR - LDI

Right hand star
DON'T TURN ROUND but make waves on the side with the men facing out and the women facing in.
Balance the wave;
One change of a box circulate.

Balance the wave
Rory O'More Twirl past partner
Immediately into left hand turn one and a half with partner

Hey - women pass right shoulders

Ladies Chain halfway;
Left hand Star.

29/12/04

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BLOW THE CANDLES OUT - LDI

Gypsy Meltdown with neighbour.

Ladies chain halfway;
Pass the ocean and Balance the wave.

Women left hand turn one and a half WHILST men orbit halfway clockwise;
Swing partner.

Long lines go forward and back;
Women pass by with right hands and with opposite right hand threequarters on to new neighbour (open ladies chain)

Written 13/11/05 for Stonesfield Folk Dance Club's birthday dance on 3/12/05

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BRANDY BUBBLES - LDI

Balance and swing neighbours;

Long lines go forward and back;
1s half figure of eight up though 2s

Contra Corners

Balance and swing partner ending with first couples improper and facing new neighbours.

Written 19/04/04 at the Queens Hotel in Southsea where the bar is called 'Brandy Bubbles'.

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BRASSKNOCKER - LDI

Lines forward and back;
Broken half hey ie men lead passing right but when women meet they do a whole right hand turn to place

Pick up partner and star promenade to man's side of set
Swing partner.

Circle left threequarter and melt into a wave - women in centre holding left hands men holding right with neighbour,
Balance the wave;
Right hand turn halfway.

Men left hand turn all the way;
Swing neighbour.

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BREAKWATER - Becket set

Half right and left through.
Ladies chain halfway diagonally to right;

Left hand Star
Circle left threequarters.

Turn away from this circle and dosido partner;
Swing partner.

Long lines go forward and back;
Pass through;
California Twirl.

Conceived in Brixham, Devon in October 2004 whilst overlooking Torbay with some very wild but beautiful seas.

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BYARD'S LEAP - Becket set

Ladies chain diagonally to left
Ladies chain diagonally to right

Pass through across the set - don't turn round
Men turn left/women right and swing

Balance the ring; Petronella turn
Balance the ring; Petronella turn

Balance and swing partner

07/06/2010

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DIXIE FOURSOME - Mezcolanza

With opposite - set and star through;
Facing partner - hey halfway start right.

Gypsy Meltdown with partner.

All four ladies chain.

Long lines forward and back;
Dixie twirl to face new line

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FIDDLES ON FIRE - LDI

Dosido opposite:
Swing opposite - man ending with woman on his right whilst facing across the set.

Whole set joins hands and circles to the left
All turn and walk back in single file.

Left and right hand star

Ladies lead a flutterwheel;
Sweep a quarter more;
Pass through opposites.

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THE GENIAL GENEALOGIST - LDI (starting in long waves - men facing out/women in)

Balance the wave - Rory O'More slide
Balance the wave - Rory O'More slide

Right hand turn neighbour threequarters
Men pass by right
Swing partner

Long lines go forward and as they come back men roll women away with a half sashay
Pass through across the set and turn a quarter to the right and walk in single file on to the next couple.

Star right threequarters with new couple
Left hand star with previous couple
Make new long waves.

Written for Eric Probert's 70th birthday celebration dance in Chelmsford on 7th March 2009

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THE GLASGOW KISS - LDI

Dosido opposite;
2 changes of Square through starting with opposite;
California Twirl with opposite.

Circle left;
Ladies chain halfway.

Ladies pass right to start a half hey HOWEVER when men meet they BOUNCE OFF EACH OTHER using both hands to go back to opposite;
Swing opposite.

Long lines forward and back;
Pass the Ocean;
Balance the wave.

Written in Glasgow on St Valentine's Day 2002. A Glasgow Kiss is a colloquialism for a head butt!

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HALSWAY PASSION - LDI

With neighbour right hand balance;
Box the gnat;
Men left allemande one and a half

Hey - start passing partner by right

Gypsy partner;
Swing partner.

Long lines go forward - as they come back the woman rolls away in front of her partner;
Balance the ring;
Petronella spin with extra half turn to face new neighbour.

March 2008

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HARBOUR LIGHTS - Mezcolanza

Dosido opposite;
Centres four dancers square through four hands

Hey on own line

Gypsy and swing partner

Whole circle left halfway;
Set to partner;
Star through.

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HEATING UP THE HOTHOUSE - Becket Set

Long lines forward and back;
Right hand star

Walk in single file one place clockwise to meet new opposites;
Circle left threequarters;
Swing new opposite.

Hey (women pass right shoulders to start).

Women right hand turn one and a half;
Swing partner.

Written July 03 for the first Contra Hothouse at Halsway Manor

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HIGH NOON - LDI

Dosido neighbour one and a quarter to a wave;
Balance that wave;
Half right hand turn;
Men half left hand turn.

Balance and swing partner

Right and left through across set;
Circle left three quarters.

Balance the ring;
Pass through up and down set;
Turn over right shoulder into ...
Right hand star with original neighbours

completed at noon on 18/07/06

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THE HONEYPOT - Becket

Men twirl moving forward to make a wave down the centre (right hands with opposite man).
Balance the wave:
Slide one place to right with a Rory O'More twirl;
Left hand turn threequarters with opposite man to face partner.

Hey for four (pass partner by right).

Gypsy meltdown with partner.

Right and left through halfway diagonally left;
Pass through;
Wheel turn with man going forward.

03/09/04

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I DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE - LDI (starting in wave - neighbour holding right/women left)

Balance wave;
Rory O'More twirl with men doing an extra twirl (super twirl) to pass each other
Left hand turn opposite man threequarters to a long
wave down middle;
Balance this wave.

Dosido partner;
Swing partner.

Circle left;
Balance the ring;
Petronella turn.

Balance the ring;
California twirl with partner;
Dosido new neighbour one and a quarter to a new wave.

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INCHYRA REEL - Becket set

Ladies chain halfway;
Half hey across the set (women start passing right shoulders)

Ladies chain halfway;
Left hand star.

Look diagonally right and half hey (women start passing right shoulders);
Swing partner.

Long lines forward and back;
Right hand star.

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INTERSTELLAR PHILANDERING - Becket

Turn your back on your partner and with that handy group of four (all from different couples)
Right Hand Star;
Swing Partner.

Circle left threequarters:
Pass through;
Swing new neighbour.

Hey for four - women pass right

Ladies chain halfway;
Left hand star.

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JUBILEE JOY - LDI

Dosido Opposite
Right hand turn threequarters with opposite;
Men left hand turn three quarters to make wave down middle of set

Balance the wave.
Men walk forward out of wave WHILST women walk forward into wave holding left hands with neighbour;
Balance the wave
Women left hand turn halfway into ...

Hey for four

Gypsy Meltdown with opposite

Chippenham Folk Festival 1/6/02 - the Queens Golden Jubilee Weekend

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KICKING OFF - LDI

Right hand balance to neighbour and Box the gnat;
Men allemande left one and a half

Swing partner.

Long lines forward and back;
Right and left through halfway.

Ladies chain halfway;
Left hand star.

30/12/05

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MILL POINT (Beg Meil) - Becket Set

Ladies chain across the set;
Ladies chain diagonally to the right.

Pass though across the set;
Men turn left/women turn right and swing partner.

Long lines forward and back;
Half hey - women pass right shoulders.

Star through with partner - women hold right hands and star promenade once around;
Move on one place clockwise around set
(neutral couples on end MUST join in)

Written in Beg Meil (trans. the Point of the Mill) , Brittany, France on 3rd August 2002

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THE NIGHTWATCHMAN - Becket Set

Pass the Ocean;
Balance the wave;
Cross and Run - Ladies slide to nearest end of wave (face same direction) WHILST men walk forward and round into opposite ladies place in the wave. They are now facing in the opposite direction.
Balance the wave.

Men right hand turn;
Swing opposite.

Ladies chain halfway;
Circle left threequarters.
Pass through.

Women left hand turn one and a half
Swing partner.

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ON THE WING - Becket Set

Circle left threequarters;
Swing opposite.

Pass the Ocean
Balance the wave;
Right hand turn halfway with opposite;
Men left hand turn halfway;
Right hand turn halfway with partner;
Look for corner and ...

Left hand turn with corner;
Swing partner.

Half right and left through diagonally to the left;
Pass through with new opposites;
California twirl with partner.

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THE PACKET STEAMER - LDI

1st couple start in line of four between 2nd couples and lead down the room;
1st couple turn as a couple/2nd couples turn alone and come back up the room;
2nd couples hand cast ist couples into 2nd place.

Contra corners

1st couples and 2nd contra corners
(ie woman of current opposites and man of next opposites) diagonal reel for four.

1st couple gypsy meltdown - ending in a line of four between new opposites.

10.06.05

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A PARROT ON EACH SHOULDER - LDI

Set to balance;
Circle left to a line facing down the room with 1st man on left of line.

Line goes down the room (2 bars)
Dixie Twirl (2 bars)
Line back up room (2 bars)
2s cast (gate threequarters) (2 bars)

Ladies Chain

All set to partner;
1st couple cast/2nd couple cross over and change sides;
1st couple half figure of eight up through 2nd couple.

In my professional life I often use the term 'a parrot on each shoulder' (one negative and the other positive) to explain internal dialogues. I wrote this on the way to a dance in Sheffield (11th Jan 2003) and was explaining my dilemma as to whether I had the confidence to do the dance that evening - the positive parrot won!

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PS - AU REVOIR - LDI

Balance and swing opposite

Circle left threequarters;
Swing partner.

Long lines forward and back;
Ladies chain halfway.

Left and right hand star.

The PS is the Packet Steamer Hotel where I wrote 2 previous dances (packet Steamer and Illicit Goods). This was written on my last planned visit to the hotel on 12/03/03

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RADSTOCK RUBY - Becket

Long lines forward and back;
Half Right and left through diagonally to left.

Half ladies chain straight across:
Reel halfway - women pass right.

Gypsy opposite left one and a half;
Women gypsy right one and a half.

Balance and swing partner.

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REMEMBERING ALAN - LDI (starting in a wave across the set holding right hands with neighbour)

Balance the wave: Rory O'More Twirl;
Balance the wave: Rory O'More Twirl;
Women do a 'super twirl' to pass each other towards their partner

Balance and swing partner.

Pass through across the set;
California Twirl;
Balance the ring;
Petronella turn.

Balance the ring;
California Twirl with partner to face new neighbours;
Dosido new neighbours one and a quarter to make new wane

Alan Hockney died 11th September 2009

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REVOLUTION - LDI

Men left hand turn a little more than once around and keeping hold of left hands, scoop up partner and turn the line halfway:
Whirl partner (men keeping arm round partners waist and turning backwards) - end on man's side of the set.

Women lead all four into a half hey across the set;
Swing partner on the opposite side that the hey was started.

Circle left halfway;
With partner slip one place to the left to meet new couple:
Right hand star with new couple.

Ladies chain halfway;
Dosido partner - start again with new opposites (2nd progression)

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ROLLAWAY TO A LINE OF FOUR - LDI

Start in a line of four facing down with 1st couples in the centre
Line of four goes down the hall;
2nd man turn alone - 1st man 'right hand high and left hand low' - 2nd woman crosses over and goes under arch whilst 1st woman crosses over and goes over 2nd woman.
Reform the line and return;
Bend the line.

Circle left;
Swing partner.

Half right and left through diagonally to the left;
With new opposites - half hey - women start passing right.

Ladies chain halfway;
Long lines forward as they come back women rollaway with a half sashay with a little fine adjustment to make a line of four (with these neighbours) facing down the room.

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ROLLING HOME - Becket

Ladies chain halfway with couple diagonally to left
Half a hey with this same couple - women passing right

Ladies chain halfway with couple diagonally to left
Half a hey with this same couple - women passing right

With shadow #2 (one you've just chained and heyed with!) allemande left x 1.5
With shadow #1 allemande right x 1.5

Balance and swing partner

14/06/2010

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ROUND GOES THE WHEEL - Circular Becket

Right hand star;
Ladies chain

Square through 4 hands but balance forward and back when holding right hands with partner

Dosido new opposite (in sicilian circle formation)
Swing new opposite.

in fours circle left threequarters;
Swing partner

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THE SAINTLY SWALLOW - LDI

Dosido opposite;
Right hand turn opposite one and threequarters.

Men left hand turn one and a half;
Swing partner.

Long lines go forward and back;
Pass through;
California Twirl.

Circle left threequarters
Swing opposite.

1.03.05 Swallow Hotel, Bury St. Edmunds

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SPRING INTO SUMMER - Becket

Long lines go forward and back
Men left allemande one and a half

Gypsy neighbour one and a half
Women gypsy left WHILST men orbit halfway clockwise

Gypsy partner
Swing partner

Diagonally left - right and left through halfway
Straight across - pass through and California Twirl

26th May 2008

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STEAM DRIVEN TOO - LDI

Long waves men facing out holding right hands with neighbour
Balance wave;
Rory O'More twirl to change x 2

Balance wave;
Women cross set and Swing partner

Long lines go forward and back
Right and left through;

Ladies chain
Hey halfway women start passing right
hold left hands with old neighbour and right hands with new to make long waves

17/06/08

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THE STONE FLAGON - Becket

Long lines forward and back;
Right and left through halfway.

Ladies chain halfway;
Diagonally right half hey start with women passing right.

Gypsy meltdown with opposite.

Circle left threequarters;
Swing partner.

28.4.05

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THE SWAN IN WELLS - LDI

Left hand star seventh eighths - end with women making a wave down centre of set;
Balance the wave WHILST men walk forward to make a wave over the top of the womens' wave (Gypsy wave);
Everybody balance.

Gypsy star threequarters - Men walking forward keep hands joined in duple minor set;
Swing neighbour.

Women right hand turn one and a half;
Swing partner.

Long lines go forward and back;
Circle left threequarters;
Pass through to new neighbours.

The Swan is a rather nice hotel in Wells

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THIMBLE MILL - Becket

Right hand star;
Balance the star;
Women roll past each other (as in Rory O'More) to change places end facing partner men holding right hands/women left

Gypsy Star with partner (women going backwards) to own place;
Swing partner

Balance the ring;
Petronella turn - all x 2

Half right and left through diagonally to right;
Long lines go forward and back.

11/06/07

Thimble Mill is the rather lovely annexe to the Waterside Hotel in Bath

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WAITING FOR THE SUNSHINE - LDI

Dosido neighbour one and a quarter to make a wave;
Balance the wave and Rory O'More;
End with men facing and make a diamond with the women.

Balance the Ring;
Petronella turn;
Women make a tidal wave holding left hand with neighbour
Balance the wave;
Women left hand turn threequarters

Half hey starting passing partner by right;
Swing partner.

Circle left threequarters;
Balance the ring
Pass through.

12/07/08

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WATERSIDE - Becket Set anti-clockwise progression

Balance the ring;
Petronella turn;
Turn away from neighbour and swing new neighbour.

Long lines forward and back;
Men left hand turn one and a half.

Gypsy meltdown partner.

Pass through; California Twirl;
Circle left.

10.01.06

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WHITBY WAVES - Becket

Pass the Ocean
Balance the wave
Half right hand turn partner;
Men half left hand turn;
Half right hand turn neighbour;
Women half left hand turn;

Gypsy meltdown with partner

Diagonally left right and left through
Facing new neighbour and holding both hands - balance
and star through

With partner - balance and star through
Long lines forward and back

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THE YARN MARKET - LDI

Women right hand turn threequarters to make a wave down the centre facing neighbours;
Balance the wave;
Dosido neighbour one and a half so men make a wave in centre holding left hands with opposite man and facing partner.

Balance wave forwards and back;
Men left hand turn all around;
Pass partner with right hand;
Women left hand turn all around.

Gypsy meltdown with partner

Ladies chain halfway;
Pass through;
California Twirl.

1/10/07

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ALL OF ME - Singing Square

Figure:

Heads right and left through,
with opposite you star through
Pass straight through and ladies chain now
Centres extra turn and left hand star there
Go all around and look to the corner
Right hand turn, then you look behind
Dosido and promenade her.
You took the part that once was my heart,
So why not take all of me.

Chorus:

....sides face, grand square ...
All of me why not take all of me
Can't you see I'm no good without you.
Reverse that square you want to lose them
Take my arms and two hands use them.
Dosido and and then you promenade
You took the part that once was my heart,
So why not take all of me.

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DOES YOUR CHEWING GUM LOSE IT'S FLAVOUR - Singing Square

Figure:

Head couples you pass through then seperate you do
Pass through the sides now, right to the opposite side now.
Then you dosido - only just to know
Chain this lady just halfway be the answer yes, or no.
Balance to this lady on the bedpost overnight
Swing her round and round now, don't give her a fright
Promenade your partner, first the left foot and the right,
Does your chewing gum lose it's flavour on the bedpost overnight

Chorus:

.. circle left ..
Oh me, oh my, oh you, whatever can I do?
Circle right now, keep going to the right now.
With your corner dosido - then with the one you know
Allemande left your corner and grand chain off we go.
Does your chewing gum lose it's flavour on the bedpost overnight
When your mother says don't chew it, do you swallow it in spite?
Balance to your partner, first the left foot then the right,
Does your chewing gum lose it's flavour on the bedpost overnight

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HELLO, MARY LOU - Singing Square

Figure:

All four ladies chain across, heads promenade halfway because,
We swore Mary Lou we'd never part.
Heads right and left halfway and then, all four ladies chain again,
Hello, Mary Lou, Goodbye heart.
Dosido Mary Lou, men left hand star,
Pick up your corners all, how do you do?
Star promenade new Mary Lou, we'll never part,
Sing Hello, Mary Lou, goodbye heart.

Chorus:

All four ladies chain across, chain 'em and don't get lost
With your Mary Lou you'll never part.
Into the centre and back again one more time just do the same
Hello, Mary Lou, goodbye heart.
Dosido, Mary Lou, goodbye heart,
Swing Mary Lou, I'm so in love with you.
Promenade Mary Lou, we'll never part,
Hello, Mary Lou, goodbye heart.

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IF MY FRIENDS COULD SEE ME NOW - Singing Square

Figure:

Heads Square Thru', it's four hands round you do,
Split the sides, cast round one, make two lines that's new.
Go forward, up and back, pass thru', U-turn back,
Pass the Ocean, wave it forward and back.
Then you all swing thru', men you trade,
Girls U-turn back and then you promenade.
What a set up now, it's your corner, I don't believe it,
If my friends could see me now.

Chorus:

It's left allemande, right and left round the track,
Just halfway round, reverse that chain and right and left back.
I'd like those stumblebums to see that I know,
To pass my partner and corner dosido.
Then its back to my own the one I adore,
Swing around and round and then we promenade the floor.
What a set up, Holy Cow, they'd never believe me,
If my friends could see me now.

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I ONLY WANT A BUDDY NOT A SWEETHEART - Singing Square

Chorus:

SIDES FACE GRAND SQUARE
I only want a buddy not a sweetheart
'Cos sweethearts never make you blue ...REVERSE...
Sweethearts they make vows that are broken
And their hearts are broken too
.. FOUR LADIES CHAIN..
Don't tell me that you love me, say you like me
No lovers' quarrels bungalows for two .. PROMENADE
Don't steal down lovers' lane, just keep right on saying.
I only want a buddy not a gal.

Figure:

Heads square through 3, then promenade the square
Just halfway round, just so
Heads go right and circle to line forward and back you know
Set, star through, set, pass through
Swing with the next and promenade.
Don't steal down lovers' lane, just keep right on saying.
I only want a buddy not a gal.

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THE LADY IS A TRAMP - Singing Square

Figure:

Heads right and left - then go to the right,
Circle left to lines - don't take all night.
Chain those ladies just go half then chain the other way,
That's why the lady is a tramp.
Go forward, back, pass through - swing who's there,
Life's without care.
She's broke, but that's OK.
Promenade California, it's cold and it's damp,
That's why the lady is a tramp.

Chorus:

..sides face, Grand Square ...
She gets too hungry for dinner at eight,
Goes to the theatre and never comes late,
Reverse that square with people you hate,
That's why the lady is a tramp.
Allemande left, partner dosido,
Promenade you know
She's broke, but that's OK.
Hates California, it's cold and it's damp,
That's why the lady is a tramp.

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LADY MADONNA - Singing Square

Figure:

Head couples right hand star, children at your feet,
Allemande left, then weave the ring make ends meet.
Weave the ring just halfway round just to pay the rent
Push two, side two, the star's heaven sent
Men left hand star, star promenade your corner
Sunday morning creep in like a nun.
Four ladies chain across and chain 'em back now,
See how they run.

Chorus:

...sides face, grand square.....
Lady Madonna, children at your feet,
Wond'ring how you manage to make ends meet
Reverse that square now, when you pay the rent, get back home and allemande left it's heaven sent.
Grand chain just halfway round the square now,
Dosido your partner like a nun.
Promenade 'til you get her home now,
See how they run.

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OH, LONESOME ME - Singing Square

Figure:

Heads right and left through, just halfway, we're having fun
Pass the Ocean, rock it and then walk on
Rock this wave, swing thru', men you trade.
Oh, Lonesome Me.
Dosido your corners all then swing around,
I guess that we should have some fun and promenade around.
Ive thought of ev'rything from A to Zee
Oh, Lonesome Me.

Chorus one:

Sides Face - Grand Square
Ev'rybody's going out and having fun.
I'm just the fool for staying at home and having none - REVERSE -
Can't get over how you set me free
Oh Lonesome Me.
Four Ladies Chain across the set having fun
Chain 'em back to their own we're having none.
Promenade around and set me free
Oh Lonesome Me.

Chorus two:

Sides Face - Grand Square
I guess she's not like me, she's out and fancy free
Flirting with the boys needs all her charms
REVERSE that chain you go, Brother don't you know,
I'd welcome her right back into my arms
Four Ladies Chain across the set having fun
Chain 'em back to their own we're having none.
Promenade around and set me free
Oh Lonesome Me.

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PAPER ROSES - Singing Square

Figure:

Heads right and left then you reel just halfway
And gypsy with your corner while you're there.
Then left shoulder gypsy with your partner
And make an Alamo ring round the square.
Balance, left hand turn, Paper Roses
Balance, right hand turn and corner promenade.
But they're only imitation
Like your imitation love for me.

Chorus:

Sides face .. Grand Square ..
I realised the way you eyes deceived me
With tender looks that I mistook for love.
So reverse that flowers that you gave me
Then Four ladies chain across that set you go.
Paper Roses, paper roses
Chain those roses right back to me.
Promenade 'em - they're imitation
Like your imitation love for me.

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PUTTING ON THE STYLE - Singing Square

Figure:

All four ladies chain across, head couples
one and three (side couples two and four)
Promenade this lady halfway round, it's all the
same to me (just halfway round no more)
Chain those ladies back again, yes, you're doing fine,
Heads go right and circle left into two lines.
Lines go forward, back again, swing the one you meet,
Put this lady by your side, the one that smiles so sweet
(the one with the sweaty feet!)
Pass her by and promenade the next one, come on smile,
Seeing all the young folk, PUTTING ON THE STYLE.

Chorus:

Ladies four, in you go, then come out and then
Men you star round to the right, all the way and then,
Left hand back, pick up your maid, everybody smile,
Star promenade your partner, PUTTING ON THE STYLE.
Four Ladies chain across the set, Putting on the Style,
Chain 'em back to their own, let's do it all the while.
Promenade your partner, everybody smile,
Seeing all the young folks PUTTING ON THE STYLE

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RED ROSES FOR A BLUE LADY - Singing Square

Figure:

Head ladies chain across and sides right and left through, then
Heads you chain on back, sides you stay there.
Heads go right and cirlce left to to line and then you may
Go forward up and back, chase those blues away.
Lines you pass through, centre arch and ends through,
Swing the one you meet and promenade
And if they do the trick, I'll hurry back to buy
Some best white orchids for our wedding day.

Chorus:

....sides face, grand square ..
Wrap up some red roses for a blue lady,
Send them to the sweetest girl in town ... reverse ...
We had a little quarrel the other day
I hope those pretty flowers chase the blues away.
Allemande left corner, grand right and left halfway
Dosido your own and promenade
And if they do the trick, I'll hurry back to buy
Some best white orchids for our wedding day.

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RIGHT OR WRONG - Singing Square

Figure:

Heads forward back, then pass through now
Go round two and make two lines.
Forward and back and then you box the gnat
Ends arch, centres through and cast to line.
Forward and back again you box the gnat
Ends arch, centres through and face your own
Dosido and promenade her,
Right or wrong I'm still in love with you

Chorus:

.... Sides face, grand square ......
Right or wrong, I'll always love you
Though you're gone I can't forget ... reverse ..
Right or wrong I'll keep on dreaming
Though I'll live with that same old regret
... Four ladies chain ....
All along I knew I'd lose you
Come on back and please be true
Promenade, please just remember
Right or wrong I'm still in love with you.

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THOSE WERE THE DAYS - Singing Square

Figure:

First couple split the ring asunder cast off and weave the ring back home.
Right hand star your opposite around now
Allemande corners - ladies chain just go.
Those were the days my friend, I thought they'd never end,
Chain those ladies right back and promenade.
We live the life we choose, just fight and never lose
Those were the days - oh yes, those were the days

Chorus:

Allemande left your corner - pass your partner,
Allemande right the next one just the same.
Dosido your partner, then you swing her,
Allemande left your corner - then Grand Chain.
Those were the days my friend I thought they'd never end.
Just halfway round and then you dosido.
We live the live we choose, promenade don't lose,
Those were the days - oh yes, those were the days.

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TOP OF THE WORLD - Singing Square

Figure:

Head couples right hand star around you go
Then left hand turn your corner don't you know
Then dosido your own heads right and left alone
Go right and circle left into two lines.
I'm on the TOP OF THE WORLD looking down on creation Go forward, back - centres you pass through
Swing the love that you've found and then promenade around
Your love's put me on the TOP OF THE WORLD

Chorus:

Dosido your partner where you are
Then all four ladies make a right hand star
Then left hand turn your own and four men star right alone
Allemande left your corner then grand chain.
I'm on top of the world looking down on creation
And the only explanation halfway round
Is to dosido your own and them promenade her home
Your love's put me on the TOP OF THE WORLD

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WALK RIGHT BACK - Singing Square

Figure:

Head couples right hand star go all the way around,
Allemande left your corner all the way.
Dosido your partner, swing your corner girl around,
Nothing seems to be the same old way.
Four Ladies Chain across the set then chain 'em back again,
The good times we had before you promenade from me.
Walk Right Back to me this minute,
Bring your love to me don't send it,
I'm so lonesome everyday.
Circle left ....
I want you to tell me why you walked out on me,
I'm so lonesome every day. (circle right)
I want you to know that since you walked out on me,
Nothing seems to be the same old way.
Allemande left your corner, then it's dosido your own,
The good times we had before you promenade from me -
Walk Right Back to me this minute,
Bring your love to me don't send it,
I'm so lonesome every day.

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WHO'S SORRY NOW - Singing Square

Figure:

Heads right hand star - all around the square
Dosido your corner - make a wave while you're there.
Balance that wave, then Rory O'More
Left turn and then a bit more.
Four ladies chain, then back again
I tried to warn you somehow.
Promenade away, now you must pay,
I'm glad that you're sorry now.

Chorus:

... Circle left ....
Who's sorry now, who's sorry now.
Who's heart is aching for breaking each vow.
Dosido you do and swing around too
Just like I cried over you.
Corner allemande; right and left grand
I tries to warn you somehow.
You've had your way, now you must pay
I'm glad that you're sorry now (swing if time)

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CONTRA IN A BOX - Square

Heads forward and back;
Heads right and left through

Heads balance ring;
Petronella turn;
Heads balance ring;
Petronella turn with extra half turn to face corner.

Dosido corner one and a quarter to make wave;
Balance the wave;
Rory O'More slide;

Allemande left corner approx halfway to face partner
Swing partner.

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COOL NOVEMBER - Square Dance (based on November Breakdown by Susan Kevra)

Head couples go forward and back;
Head couples Ladies chain halfway.

Head couple circle left threequarters;
Pass through;
Swing the one you meet.

Circle left halfway-ish;
Women rollaway;
Swing partner.

Promenade partner

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LAST CHANCE GULCH - Square Dance

Allemande left corner;
Dosido partner.

1st couple bow and swing;
1st couple split the ring and cast off one to make a line of four.

Line goes forward and back;
Mountaineer loop and lead to the middle.

Sides right and left through around the line.

Sides whole ladies chain through an arch made in the middle of the line.

Line forms to a circle and circle left;
Right hand star

B3/4

Allemande left corner; Grand chain half way;
Dosido Partner and promenade home.

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THE ANONYMOUS ADMIRER - Sicilian Circle - 32 bar jigs

Balance the ring;
1s go under arch made by 2s.
Balance the ring
2s go under arch made by 1s

Dosido new opposite;
Right hand star.

Ladies chain up and down set.

Left hand star
Circle left.

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BULLSEYE - Sicilian Circle

Dosido opposite;
Swing opposite facing across the set in circular becket formation.

Half ladies chain across set ie to receive partner
Half promenade across the set with partner, moving slightly to the left on the courtesy turn to face new opposites.

Left and right hand star

Half ladies chain across set to receive new opposite;
Set to partner and star through.

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ILLICIT GOODS - Sicilian Circle

Ladies Chain halfway; Ladies lead flutterwheel

Pass the Ocean:
Balance the wave.
Rotate the Ocean;
Balance the wave.

Swing through (half right hand turn, men half left hand turn)
Swing opposite.

Ladies Chain halfway;
Women (passing right shoulders) lead into a hey halfway to progress.

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TO THE MANOR BORN - Sicilian Circle

Right hand star;
Ladies chain halfway.

Ladies chain halfway.
Left hand star;

Balance the Star;
Petronella turn anti-clockwise ie forward;
Balance the Star;
Petronella turn anti-clockwise ie forward to make a wave with men holding right hands with opposite and women holding left hand in centre.

Balance the wave;
Rotate the wave clockwise;
Balance the wave;
Walk on to new opposites. 11.8.04 at Scalby Manor Campsite

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THE POLYCHROMIC GENTLEMAN - Two couples facing two couples/Becket set for 4 couples

in fours - balance the ring and Petronella turn;
Repeat all that

1-4 Travelling Gypsy
Pass through across the set;
Turn a quarter right and in fours walk forward one place;
Pass through along the set.
KEEP IT TIGHT - remember it's a gypsy!
5-6 In centre - right hand star halfway;
7-8 On ends left hand star halfway ending in two parallel waves.

Balance the wave;
Move around one place of a box circulate;
Swing partner

Long lines go forward and back;
Right and left through halfway.

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PARADISE CIRCUS - Longways for 4 couples (1s and 3s Improper)

On ends Right hand star
Centres Left hand star WHILST ends SKIP round the set halfway clockwise

as A1 to place

end A1 in 2 lines with men facing out and women in
Balance the line and HALF right hand turn - ALL TWICE

On the ends -
Women cross to change place then men do the same.
In the middle:
Women cross to change place then men do the same.

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THE ROAD TO MONS - Longways for three couples

1st couple start a progressive circular hey all around the set.

1st couple turn in and start a Grimstock hey on their own line.

1s and 2s, holding hand of neighbour, go forward and back;
Set to partner;
1s 'gate, 2s through the middle so that they end in a line of 4 facing down set with 1st couple in the middle - 3rd couple face this line.

All set right and left;
All walk forward, the 3rd couple going through arches on the ends of the line.
1st and 2nd couples circle left WHILST 3rd couple swing.

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WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS - Longways set for 4 couples - 48 bar jigs

Set to person diagonally to the right (if there is one) and change places with them;
Set to the person diagonally to the left (if there is one) and change places with them.
This leaves all women at the top of the set and the men at the bottom.

The men left hand star WHILST women right hand star;
The men, starting with the first man, pick up their partner and star promenade.
End in a square set with 1st couple in number one position - don't worry where the other couples are!

All four ladies chain.

Heads right and left through halfway;
Heads go to the couples on the right and circle left into two
facing lines.

Lines go forward and back;
Ladies chain halfway across the set.

Dosido partner;
Swing ending on the correct side.

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John Meechan

Caller

John's Dances