Elgin
This dance was created (I belive) by North British Sword.
For five dancers. This dance uses a light running step for everything except the walk-on. All figures progress anti-clockwise.
The music we use is "The Gentleman Soldier". It's a 24 bar tune, played continuously.
Many of the figures in this dance don't have a precise length that fits to the music. With a 5 man dance, you're unlikely to get a tight fit to anything. This may also be why the dance has a circle before any new figure, as circles are great for evening out timing.
The music we use is "The Gentleman Soldier". It's a 24 bar tune, played continuously.
Many of the figures in this dance don't have a precise length that fits to the music. With a 5 man dance, you're unlikely to get a tight fit to anything. This may also be why the dance has a circle before any new figure, as circles are great for evening out timing.
Walk On (no music)
Stand in straight line with swords touching the ground. Numbering is along the line, so number 1 leads with two behind, etc.) Number one counts 4, 3, 2 ,1 and everyone starts at the same time on the left foot. There is no music. Number 1 uses 16 steps (counting for the team to hear, but not loud enough for the audience) to lead the line into the centre of the dance area and turns right to form a tight circle with swords touching the ground in the centre.
Number 1 has four counts to raise his sword out and up to the centre. Each dancer in turn (a/c) brings their sword up to a high touch, making sure their sword goes under the previous ones.
Pause and wait for the music.
Clash and Circle
Music starts the tune, no intro required. On the 9th beat, the dancers clash their swords and lower them to form a ring.
Continue the circle to the end of the tune. Number 1 needs to manipulate the circle so that he is closest to the audience when 'cast left and right' starts, as this will ensure the figure flows towards the audience.
Cast Left and Right
Number 1 casts left by doing the equivalent of a single under move.
Number 2 does the same, but goes to the right.
Each dancer does the same, alternating direction.
The dancers go half way round the set (making sure not to pull the set too far backwards) and then come up the centre. It's important for the dancers to form a line in numerical order as they come back up the middle of the set. Forming a line keeps the set tight and makes it possible for those casting to be able to get round with out needing elastic arms.
Number 1 does four casts, but after his final cast, everyone else simple comes up the centre and flows out into a ring.
Flying Shuttle and Ring (Chorus)
Number 1 leads the dancers into a straight line. (the line should start some way to the left of the dance spot, as it will drift right during this figure) Starting at the beginning of a suitable phrase in the music, the whole line will start a 'forward for 4 steps, backwards for 4 steps' pattern while number 1 leads a line of dancers weaving in and out of the line. Number 1 will always be going in the opposite direction to the line.
As the line goes forward for the first time, number 1 turns inwards and goes under his own sword.
As the line comes back again, he leads under number 2's sword, followed by number 2.
Next, as the line goes forward, he goes under 3's sword, followed by 2 and 3.
The he goes under 4's sword as the line come back again.
Now he leads the line into a circle. (making sure it's in the centre of the dance spot). If the last pair arch over the set and move along it, this also helps the set get back into position.
Over Two Swords (Twos and Threes)
Chorus
Over Neighbour's Sword
Chorus
Windows
Chorus
Flip Circle In and Out.
Number 1 turns out (as in a single under) and goes anti-clockwise round the set followed the other dancers. This has the result of turning the ring inside out. Circle facing out until end of phrase.
Number 2 casts out clockwise, followed by everyone else. This turns the ring right side out again. Circle until end of phrase.
Number 3 casts anti-clockwise. (then as above)
Number 4 casts clockwise. (then as above)
Number 5 casts anti-clockwise.
Number 1, followed by each dancer in turn (going clockwise round the ring) does a turn a/c to face into the centre of the circle, bringing his right hand over left to start forming the sword lock.
Keep circling while the lock is being formed. When lock completed, number 1 raises lock and continues round circle until he is in the right position to form a line facing the audience, with himself in the centre (this will require number 3 to break the circle first). Keep maintaining time in the line and then number 1 leads dancers off in a 'flying goose' formation.
Stand in straight line with swords touching the ground. Numbering is along the line, so number 1 leads with two behind, etc.) Number one counts 4, 3, 2 ,1 and everyone starts at the same time on the left foot. There is no music. Number 1 uses 16 steps (counting for the team to hear, but not loud enough for the audience) to lead the line into the centre of the dance area and turns right to form a tight circle with swords touching the ground in the centre.
Number 1 has four counts to raise his sword out and up to the centre. Each dancer in turn (a/c) brings their sword up to a high touch, making sure their sword goes under the previous ones.
Pause and wait for the music.
Clash and Circle
Music starts the tune, no intro required. On the 9th beat, the dancers clash their swords and lower them to form a ring.
Continue the circle to the end of the tune. Number 1 needs to manipulate the circle so that he is closest to the audience when 'cast left and right' starts, as this will ensure the figure flows towards the audience.
Cast Left and Right
Number 1 casts left by doing the equivalent of a single under move.
Number 2 does the same, but goes to the right.
Each dancer does the same, alternating direction.
The dancers go half way round the set (making sure not to pull the set too far backwards) and then come up the centre. It's important for the dancers to form a line in numerical order as they come back up the middle of the set. Forming a line keeps the set tight and makes it possible for those casting to be able to get round with out needing elastic arms.
Number 1 does four casts, but after his final cast, everyone else simple comes up the centre and flows out into a ring.
Flying Shuttle and Ring (Chorus)
Number 1 leads the dancers into a straight line. (the line should start some way to the left of the dance spot, as it will drift right during this figure) Starting at the beginning of a suitable phrase in the music, the whole line will start a 'forward for 4 steps, backwards for 4 steps' pattern while number 1 leads a line of dancers weaving in and out of the line. Number 1 will always be going in the opposite direction to the line.
As the line goes forward for the first time, number 1 turns inwards and goes under his own sword.
As the line comes back again, he leads under number 2's sword, followed by number 2.
Next, as the line goes forward, he goes under 3's sword, followed by 2 and 3.
The he goes under 4's sword as the line come back again.
Now he leads the line into a circle. (making sure it's in the centre of the dance spot). If the last pair arch over the set and move along it, this also helps the set get back into position.
Over Two Swords (Twos and Threes)
Chorus
Over Neighbour's Sword
Chorus
Windows
Chorus
Flip Circle In and Out.
Number 1 turns out (as in a single under) and goes anti-clockwise round the set followed the other dancers. This has the result of turning the ring inside out. Circle facing out until end of phrase.
Number 2 casts out clockwise, followed by everyone else. This turns the ring right side out again. Circle until end of phrase.
Number 3 casts anti-clockwise. (then as above)
Number 4 casts clockwise. (then as above)
Number 5 casts anti-clockwise.
Number 1, followed by each dancer in turn (going clockwise round the ring) does a turn a/c to face into the centre of the circle, bringing his right hand over left to start forming the sword lock.
Keep circling while the lock is being formed. When lock completed, number 1 raises lock and continues round circle until he is in the right position to form a line facing the audience, with himself in the centre (this will require number 3 to break the circle first). Keep maintaining time in the line and then number 1 leads dancers off in a 'flying goose' formation.
