Three Legged Horse - figure 3
Tune: Pop Goes the Weasel
A, B continually. Don't worry about matching any particular figure to A or B.
Numbering is clockwise round the set.
Once to Yourself (with High Touch)
Band play tune once through (with or without intro, as they prefer)
Dancers start with swords touching ground in centre of set. Raise to a single high touch on 'Pop' and pull swords down again into a ring ready for next move.
Circle (1 tune)
1-12 Circle left.
13-16 On 'Pop', turn right 180 degrees, while stepping into centre and lifting swords over head and bringing hands into position under chin. It's important to bring the left hand down over the right hand and to not have the swords held right at the end. The aim is to have the wrists INSIDE the triangle made by the swords and for that triangle to remain rigidly locked in shape.
Rocking Triangles (2 tunes)
1-4 Number one raises hands above head (while maintaining triangle shape), numbers two and three keep hands under chin. (or wherever the differing heights of dances makes a sensible position)
5-8 Number One lowers hands, number two raises them. The moves should be crisp and simultaneous. The upward push should end with straight arms if possible.
9-12 One and Two down, three up.
13-28 Continue in the same pattern.
29-32 On final 'Pop' everyone turns left to re-form the ring.
Circle (1 tune)
1-16 Circle left.
Swinging Triangles (two tunes)
Touch fists together so that swords form a triangle. Maintain this shape throughout the move.
1-8 Dancer number 1 walks boldly under the triangle, thrusts the point above his head, then steps back again. The other two dancers turn away as number 1 goes past them so that they have their backs to each other and raise their swords over their head. They reverse this move as number 1 returns to place. The should turn on the spot, and not let the set drift.
9-48 Keep repeating this move, with the lead dancer rotating clockwise round the ring.
Flipping Triangles (B,A)
This move will generally start with the dancer to number 1's left (as number 1 should be the last to go in 'Swinging Triangles'), but in case of anything going wrong, it will start with whoever's turn it was when the music starts the new phrase...
1-48 Dancers pass right hand over left to form a triangle. This triangle must be maintained at all times in the move – imagine the swords are nailed together.
In each move the triangle will be lifted up, flipped over, and brought down again. Four counts to go up, and four to come down again. A crisp up and down movement of the triangle is important.
In each move, one dancer will pass underneath the triangle (turning to their right unless this is impossible), but will not come back again. This is what causes the triangle to flip.
It's important to avoid drifting all over the floor. As one dancer goes under and turns, the other two dancers must move across the floor in the opposite direction. The centre of the set should remain in the same position.
Sometimes the other two dancers will need to turn under the swords, sometimes, they will simply be able to lift the swords and bring their wrists down crossed the other way. They will often be doing different actions to each other. Experience is the best guide to knowing which action is correct. (Look at which wrist is on top, and think about what will happen if you turn/don't turn.)
Pull out swords on final 'Pop'. (It's virtually impossible to end this figure in a clean, predictable state, and the sword pull resolves this)
Hey (2 tunes)
Swords resting on shoulders. Normal 3-man hey with number one starting it off, by passing right shoulders with the dancer to his right.
Twisted Triangle Lock (B)
Bring down the paired swords from shoulders and form a ring.
Cross wrists to bring hilts over points.
Move top hilt towards the centre.
Look at the two points under your control, and ensure that swords are correctly crossed. (Each pair of swords should make a thin 'x' shape.)
Weave the leftmost of your two points.
Weave the rightmost of your two hilts.
Note that this lock is unusual in that the swords do not alternate over and under. They will pass over (or under) a group of three other swords and weave with a single sword at each end.
Rose (AB)
Carry the lock off and display it.
A, B continually. Don't worry about matching any particular figure to A or B.
Numbering is clockwise round the set.
Once to Yourself (with High Touch)
Band play tune once through (with or without intro, as they prefer)
Dancers start with swords touching ground in centre of set. Raise to a single high touch on 'Pop' and pull swords down again into a ring ready for next move.
Circle (1 tune)
1-12 Circle left.
13-16 On 'Pop', turn right 180 degrees, while stepping into centre and lifting swords over head and bringing hands into position under chin. It's important to bring the left hand down over the right hand and to not have the swords held right at the end. The aim is to have the wrists INSIDE the triangle made by the swords and for that triangle to remain rigidly locked in shape.
Rocking Triangles (2 tunes)
1-4 Number one raises hands above head (while maintaining triangle shape), numbers two and three keep hands under chin. (or wherever the differing heights of dances makes a sensible position)
5-8 Number One lowers hands, number two raises them. The moves should be crisp and simultaneous. The upward push should end with straight arms if possible.
9-12 One and Two down, three up.
13-28 Continue in the same pattern.
29-32 On final 'Pop' everyone turns left to re-form the ring.
Circle (1 tune)
1-16 Circle left.
Swinging Triangles (two tunes)
Touch fists together so that swords form a triangle. Maintain this shape throughout the move.
1-8 Dancer number 1 walks boldly under the triangle, thrusts the point above his head, then steps back again. The other two dancers turn away as number 1 goes past them so that they have their backs to each other and raise their swords over their head. They reverse this move as number 1 returns to place. The should turn on the spot, and not let the set drift.
9-48 Keep repeating this move, with the lead dancer rotating clockwise round the ring.
Flipping Triangles (B,A)
This move will generally start with the dancer to number 1's left (as number 1 should be the last to go in 'Swinging Triangles'), but in case of anything going wrong, it will start with whoever's turn it was when the music starts the new phrase...
1-48 Dancers pass right hand over left to form a triangle. This triangle must be maintained at all times in the move – imagine the swords are nailed together.
In each move the triangle will be lifted up, flipped over, and brought down again. Four counts to go up, and four to come down again. A crisp up and down movement of the triangle is important.
In each move, one dancer will pass underneath the triangle (turning to their right unless this is impossible), but will not come back again. This is what causes the triangle to flip.
It's important to avoid drifting all over the floor. As one dancer goes under and turns, the other two dancers must move across the floor in the opposite direction. The centre of the set should remain in the same position.
Sometimes the other two dancers will need to turn under the swords, sometimes, they will simply be able to lift the swords and bring their wrists down crossed the other way. They will often be doing different actions to each other. Experience is the best guide to knowing which action is correct. (Look at which wrist is on top, and think about what will happen if you turn/don't turn.)
Pull out swords on final 'Pop'. (It's virtually impossible to end this figure in a clean, predictable state, and the sword pull resolves this)
Hey (2 tunes)
Swords resting on shoulders. Normal 3-man hey with number one starting it off, by passing right shoulders with the dancer to his right.
Twisted Triangle Lock (B)
Bring down the paired swords from shoulders and form a ring.
Cross wrists to bring hilts over points.
Move top hilt towards the centre.
Look at the two points under your control, and ensure that swords are correctly crossed. (Each pair of swords should make a thin 'x' shape.)
Weave the leftmost of your two points.
Weave the rightmost of your two hilts.
Note that this lock is unusual in that the swords do not alternate over and under. They will pass over (or under) a group of three other swords and weave with a single sword at each end.
Rose (AB)
Carry the lock off and display it.
