Lady of the Dance

A 40-bar reel for three couples in a four-couple longwise set

1–4

1st couple, giving right hands, cross over and cast off one place. (2nd couple step up on bars 3–4.)

5–8

1st man dances a half figure of eight round 3rd man while 1st woman dances a half figure of eight round 2nd woman. 1st couple finish in a diagonal line between their first corners, left shoulder to partner.

9–12

1st couple dance a half diagonal reel of four with first corners. On bar 12, 1st couple dance towards each other and turn right about to finish ready to give right shoulder to partner’s second corners.

13–16

1st couple dance a half diagonal reel of four with partner’s second corners. On bar 16, 1st couple dance towards each other and turn right about to finish ready to give right shoulder to their first corner persons again.

17–24

Repeat bars 9–16. At the end of the repetition, 1st couple do not turn about but, giving right hands, begin turning approximately halfway round.

25–32

2nd and 3rd couples chase clockwise once round the set while 1st couple, keeping right hands, continue turning one and a half times. On bar 29, 1st man enters the chase between 2nd and 3rd men and 1st woman between 3rd and 2nd women, respectively, to chase halfway round the set and finish in second place on own sides.

33–40

2nd, 1st, and 3rd couples dance six hands round and back.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

For Jelena Haramis of Bonn, Germany – Scottish, Irish and international folk dancer and teacher. There doesn’t seem to be a type of dance that she cannot do.

Devised by Anselm Lingnau, February 2001.

Tune

The Duchess of Buccleuch by William Marshall, played ABB (2 steps per bar). Any recording of The Ladies of Dunse will do fine.