Traditional Morris Dances

Moves

  • Back to Back

    in

    Facing your opposite start on R foot and pass R shoulder 2 steps, then 2 steps to the R, and then 4 steps backwards to original place (4 bars). Strike sticks on the fourth beat of the fourth bar. Reverse the move by passing L shoulders (4 bars) 2 steps to the L and backwards…

  • Bicycle Chain

    in

    Progressive Hey done from the front or back of the set, done on both sides of the set. “A good many do it in different forms but nine out of ten’s wrong you know!” From The Top Start by nos.1 & 2 facing down the set (away from the musician) and the rest facing up.…

  • Bottoms Up

    in

    1,2,3,4,5 & 6 form a line 7 & 8 dance up the outside to top of set. Repeat with 5 & 6.

  • Cross Over And Back

    in

    Change places with partners and cross back passing R shoulders. Take three step hops forward passing your opposite by the R shoulder, turn a quarter turn R on the fourth step hop, and a quarter turn R on the fifth step hop to face your opposite. Dance the sixth step hop on the spot facing…

  • Dash

    in

    No.2 moves to face no.7 – four step hops, no.8 moves to face no.1 – four step hops, no.4 moves to face no.5 – two step hops, no.6 moves to face no.3 – two step hops, then 8, 6, 4 & 2 move directly back  – four step hops – to form a line. The…

  • Hands Around

    in

    Right hand turn across the set, then left hand turn.

  • Long Corners

    in

    Nos. 1 & 8 change places passing R shoulders in the middle, 4 step hops (2 bars), nos. 2 & 7 change places, 4 step hops, all strike sticks on the fourth beat of the fourth bar. 1 & 8 change back passing R shoulders in the middle, 4 step hops (2 bars), nos. 2…

  • Longing Shanks

    in

    No. 7 moves to the top of the set on the outside and comes down the middle to the place of no.5. In the meantime all the others move to the centre and then on 1 place in a clockwise direction. This move is performed by no.7 turning to his L and dancing behind no.5…

  • Mad Dash

    in

    No.2 moves to face no.7 – four step hops, no.8 moves to face no.1 – four step hops, but no.8 first moves at the beginning of the second bar, i.e. when no.2 has done two step hops. No.4 moves to face no.5 – two step hops, starting this move at the beginning of the third…

  • Rounds

    in

    Everyone turns left by pivoting on their L foot and step on to their R foot on the first beat of the bar. So nos. 1, 3, 5 & 7 are facing up and 2, 4, 6 8 are facing down. The circle is formed on the first step by each man stepping to the…