JK: English Country Dances

Country Dance

An Amherst Cocktail (2001) by Fried de Metz Herman [ImProper:] 1b 3d
a2 c4
Up a double, and fall back(4+4).
Face ptner, set, turn-single(4+4).

Ptner two-hand turn once-and-a-half(8) a2
1b. Circle-left full(8).

[Facing across] Four-changes with hands(4+4+4+4)

ONEs cast down, while TWOs set(4) and lead up(4). 2a
b1.
[Everyone] Turn-single-R(4). Two-hand turn partner half(4). b 1d 3
2 a4 c.
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Randy | GNV VideoCamera

Randy Animation

Baptist Johnson (Planxty Johnson)

Beautyberry by Joseph Pimentel [PROPER: PartA(8+8+8). EachB(8+8).
1^st, 2^nd corners refer to positions, not people.
Randy: Always TOP couple that crosses. Always 1^stCorners that R-hand turn. ] ab cd
12 34

1^stCorners set(2+2), turn-single(4).
Top-couple [ONEs] cross [R-shoulder] go below(8), Others [TWOs] lead up. b1
2a
1^stCorners [two GENTs] R-hand turn(8) [back-to-place].

2^ndCorners [Ladies] set(4), turn-single(4).
Top-couple [TWOs] cross then go below(8), Others [ONEs] lead up. 12
ab
1^stCorners [Lady1, Gent2] R-hand turn(8) [back-to-place].

[Face ptner, take inside hand w. NBR] Fall-back(4) 12

ab
[Hands still joined] Slow step-L, then honor(2+2). [Drop hands] Ptner back-to-back(8).

Star-Right half (4) ba
21 then turn-single left(4)
[to flow into a] Star-Left [all the way](8).
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(No caller) Randy 2023 R:Aug2025 R:Sept2025 Animation Notes

The Minor Spaniard

The Minor Spaniard by Jenny Beer [PROPER: Based on The Spaniard, 1651] ab cd
12 34
1^stCorners set(2+2), turn-single(4). ONEs two-hand turn(8).
2^ndCorners set(4), turn-single(4). TWOs two-hand turn(8).

ONEs down the center(4), set to each other(4).
ONEs lead up(4), cast-off below(4) ba
21
Circle-left(8) [all way].
TWOs gate the ONEs up and around(8), to end progressed.

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Pinewoods Susan Kevra St. Louis Randy Animation Notes

The Dressed Ship

The Dressed Ship by Thompson (1774) [PROPER: Entire dance: Everyone stays on their side.]
1^st-corners set [forward](4), fall back(4), two-hand turn(8)
2^nd-corners set(4), fall back(4), two-hand turn(8)

ONEs cast down while TWOs lead up(4), everyone set(4) [to ptner].
[Everyone] Right-hand twirl the Lady(8) [in place].

ONEs cast UP while TWOs lead DOWN(4), everyone set(4)
TWOS cast UP while ONEs twirl DOWN(8) [Gent twirling Lady].
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Randy [POV UTHall] POV DTHall Aerial Video/notes Animation Animation
Different; Ptners cross: Video/notes Two couples

The Farmer's Joy

The Farmer's Joy by Joseph Pimentel [PROPER: ] ab cd
12 34
First corners set(4), turn-single-R(4), then two-hand turn back to place(8).

Second corners set(4), turn-single-R(4), then two-hand turn back to place(8).

ONEs lead down(4), wheel-around(2), b
1
a
2 to
cross(2) going-Up(4) [lady first] and cast below(4); while TWOs lead up. ba
21

[Hands across] Star-R back-to-place(8). Star-L back-to-place(8).
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Randy Thorp | Mayfair Ball Animation

Amid the Winter’s Snow

Anna's Clarinet by Jenna Simpson [PROPER: ] ab cd
12 34
Mad-robin(8) with Second-corners sliding-L in front [back-to-place].
Second-corners pass L-shoulder(4) [diagonally], 2b
1a while First-corners turn single(-R).
First-corners pass R-shoulder [diagonally](4). 21
ba
while Second-corners turn single(-R).

Partner right-shoulder siding (4+4). [“Partner side-Right ”]
[With ptner] L-hand turn half(4), big turn-single-R(4) ba
21

Circle-left(8) [all the way]
[flowing into] clockwise [half-]pousette(8) ab cd
12 34

[With-]New-NBRS circle-RIGHT(8) a bc d
1 23 4
[with ORIGINAL NBRS] clockwise [half-]pousette(8). ba dc
21 43
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Germantown C. D. Randy Thorp Animation

Benjamin's Birth Day

Benjamin's Birth Day by Gary Roodman [ImProper: ] 1b 3d
a2 c4
With Nbr, arm-Right(8) [flowing into] circle-Left-half(4), turn-single-L(4).
With Prtnr [across], arm-Left(8) circle-Right-half(4), turn-single-R(4). [Everyone back home]
Gents change(4) 2b
a1. Ladies change(4) 2a
b1 [R-shoulders]
Prtnr back-to-back(8).

Set to Prtnr(4), set to Nbr(4). Starting w Nbr, 3-changes [No hands](6+2) b 1d c
2 a4 3
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Mayfair Ball Randy | GNV Timber Ridge Animation MP3
Author's site has “Birth Day”.

Judy and Jim's Wedding by Larry Unger | (Ballroom couple)

Spanish Waltz

[Circle-KEEPER waltz: Couple-facing-couple, Sicilian circle (memorize progression-dir). Gent R-hand palm-down over ptner's L-hand.] 4-triple-steps = 8-contra-steps
[In 4 triples] “In--Back--ChangeHands-AndDown ” (Gent now had nbr in R-hand(4). Call becomes “In--Back--Change-AndDown ”)
Do t.abo again to regain your partner(4).
In--Back--Change-AndDown(4). Again(4). [Everyone is back home]

R-hands--across star(4).
L-hands--across star(4), ending in ice-skater position. [All back home]
Pinwheel: Promenade CCW (locally) with your nbr-couple, gents L-shoulder to L-shoulder(4).
[Still in ice-skater] Veer right(2) and back(2) to progress [ending with Gent'shand on Lady's]
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Danced to Haapavesi Waltz.

Portsmouth (Hornpipe)

Portsmouth from Henry Playford [PROPER: ] ab cd
12 34
1^st-Gent hey-for-3 with Ladies(16) [Gent cross between Ladies then curl right]
1^st-Lady hey with Gents(16).

ONEs cross then cast down, while TWOs lead up(4+4) b1
2a
ONEs half figure-eight up through TWOs(4+4) ba
21

[Starting across] Four changes, with hands(4+4+4+4).
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slow Randy Thorp | GNV Bob's ECD Animation Notes

Hunt the Squirrel

Geud Man of Ballangigh reconstr-by Cecil Sharp [PROPER: ] ab cd
12 34
1^st-couple lead down between 2^nd-couple(4), cast up to place(4). Two gents lead across between ladies, cast back to place(8).

2^nd-couple lead up between 1s, cast down to place(8). Two ladies lead across between gents, cast back to place(8).

1^stCorners set(2+2), turn-single-R(4). 2^ndcorners set(4), turn-single-R(4). ab
12
[Hands4] Circle-left half(4), fall back(4) [improper, progressed] 21

ba
Partners set forward(2+2), change places passing right shoulder(4). b ad c
2 14 3
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Philippe Callens Randy Thorp | GNV Randy Thorp Animation Notes

Carpathian Tune

Michedonia by Dan Blim. [PROPER: ] ab cd
12 34
ab
12 ONEs quick cast down [one place] while TWOs move up(4). ONEs set [facing each other](4). ONEs half figure-eight up through TWOs(4+4). b1
2a
TWOs quick cast down while ONEs move up(4). TWOs set(4). 1b
a2
TWOs half figure-eight up through ONEs(4+4). 12
ab

2^nd-corners cross [swap by R-shoulder](4). b2
a1
Partners two-hand turn halfway [on the side](4). 2b
1a

2^nd-corners cross(4). ab
12
Neighbors two-hand turn halfway(4). ba
21

Circle left once around(8). Partner two-hand turn once around(8). b ad c
2 14 3
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Al Rogers | GNV Pinewoods 2021 Flurry 2024 Animation PDF

Cheshire Rounds

Cheshire Rounds reconstr-by Charles Bolton [PROPER: ] ab cd
12 34
ab
12 First-Lady casts down, around two [#2Lady then #2Gent] to 1^st-Gent's place while
1^st-Gent follows [his prtn] around one [#2Lady], then cuts up the middle to 1^st-Lady's place(6+6). 1b
a2

2^nd-Gent casts Up around two, to 2^nd-Lady's place [#1Lady then #1Gent] while
2^nd-Lady follows [her prtn] around one, then down the middle to 2^nd-Gent's place(6+6). 12
ab

#1s cross then go below meanwhile #2s two-hand turn half [swap] then lead up. ba
21 (6)
All, prtn two-hand full. ba
21 (6)

Four changes of rights and lefts (3+3+3+3) ba dc
21 43
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Shaker Meeting House, Albany, NY Randy Thorp | GNV GNV Animation

Frobenius Corners by Jonathan King.

[Trip/Quad-let, PROPER:] abc
123 or abcd
1234

Danced either as a triplet, or quadruplet. Ladies:abcd. Gents:1234.

ContraCorners refers to the top-six in either group. Actives: the couple doing ContraCorners.

ContraCorners(16) a2c
1b3 a2cd
1b34

Actives cross and cast to bottom(8) acb
132 acdb
1342
Circle-left halfway(8) 231
bca 2431
bdca

ContraCorners(16) 2c1
b3a 2d31
b4ca

Everyone: Partner swing [or two-hand turn to proper], end facing up(8) bca
231 bdca
2431
Top-couple cast to bottom(8) cab
312 dcab
4312

Not enough couples yet for a contra-line? To get everyone dancing, a mixture of triplets and quadlets handles couple-numbers 3,4, 5̸, 6,7,8,9,... .

Extra couple: Replace a triplet by a quad; if no trips, replace two quads by three trips.

Background: Frobenius coin problem (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coin_problem)

Saint Katherine's

Saint Katherine's by Neal (1726) [PROPER: ] ab cd
12 34
1^st-corners set going forward(2+2), backup to place(4). 1^st-corners turn by R(8).

2^nd-corners set going forward(4), backup to place(4).
2^nd-corners turn by R(8). [Everyone end close-to-ptner, ready to fall back]

Everyone fall-back(4) [with hands] ab

12. [Everyone] Hole-in-the-wall cross(4) 12
ab.
[With hands] Fall-back(4). Hole-in-the-wall cross(4) ab
12.

[Facing across] 4-changes [NO hands](8).
ONEs cast down, while TWOs lead up(8) [has spare beats].

Alt-[Facing across] 3-changes [NO hands](8). ba
21.
ONEs lead up(4), then cast down(4).

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Dani Zavasky | GNV Animation
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Alt-B2: Dorothy Cummings | Albany, NY

Tipperty's Jean

Jig for Joanna (v1)   by Dan Blim [PROPER: ] ab cd
12 34
Prtnrs set(2+2), turn-single-R(4).
Each lady dances across below prtnr, turn-R, and lady2 chases lady1 up around 1^st-Gent, continuing to each-other's place ba
12   [“Ladies cross and chase”]

Prtnrs set(2+2), turn-single-R(4).
Each Gent dances across above prtnr, turn-R, and Gent1 chases Gent2 down around 2^nd-Lady, continuing to each-other's place ba
21   [“Gents cross and chase”]

2^nd-diagonal[positions] change(4) [Lady2, Gent1].
1^st-diagonals change(4) [Lady1, Gent2] 12
ab
Partner back-to-back(8).

[Starting across] Two changes of rights&lefts(4+4) ba
21
Prtnr 2-hand turn(8).
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Annette Animation

Lamb Skinnet & Callipe House

Jig for Joanna (v2)   by Dan Blim [PROPER: ] ab cd
12 34
Prtnrs set(2+2), turn-single-R(4).
Each lady dances across below prtnr, turn-R, and lady2 chases lady1 up around 1^st-Gent, continuing to each-other's place ba
12   [“Ladies cross and chase”]

Prtnrs set(2+2), turn-single-R(4).
Each Gent dances across above prtnr, turn-R, and Gent1 chases Gent2 down around 2^nd-Lady, continuing to each-other's place ba
21   [“Gents cross and chase”]

2^nd-diagonal[positions] change(4) [Lady2, Gent1].
1^st-diagonals change(4) [Lady1, Gent2] 12
ab
Circle-L once around(8).

Nbrs lead away [facing out](4) 12

ab. Nbrs turn to lead back in(4).
ONEs cross and cast down, while TWOs 2-hand turn-half then lead up(4+4) ba
21.
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Tunes Lamb Skinnet & Callipe House Notes

After the Storm [waltz]

After the Storm by David Smuckler [PROPER: ] ab cd
12 34
ONEs set [to each other](6), turn-single-R(6).
ONEs join right hands: Assisted half-figure-8 down(6+6). 1b
a2

TWOs set(6), turn-single-R(6). TWOs right hands: Assisted half-figure-8 Up 12
ab with TWOs a ¼-turn more, stepping between ONEs into line4 facing UTHall(6+6) ·1
·2
·a
·b

Go UTHall(6), fall back(3), fold to hands4 (3) 12
ab. Circle-left 4places(3+3+3+3).

2^nd-corner-psns [1^stGent, 2^ndLady] cross passing right shoulders(6).
1^st-corners do same [right shoulders](6). ba
21.
2s cast down while 1s lead up(6), 1s cast down while 2s lead up(6).
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Annette | GNV

Yellow Stockings

Yellow Stockings, 1726. Reconstruction by George Fogg & Rich Jackson, 1990.

[PROPER: Slip; 4-changes, a.k.a circular hey, a.k.a square-through.]
Tune: Yellow Stockings, 6/8 time.
[New] First-corners turn twice(6+6) with crossed-hands, R-over-L, [buzz step or running step, Left, clockwise], back to place.
Second-corners turn twice (6+6).
Ones join both hands. slip down the set and back (3+3). Ones cast to 2nd place, Twos move up (3+3).
4-changes (3+3+3+3) of rights-and-lefts, starting acoss, with partner. “Circular hey ”..
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Jeremy Suermann | .
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Jeremy Suermann | ?.

Dances for Monday, 20July2026

English country dances

ECD resources

Figures