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Ed. 1-8 Longways – 3 Couples
G Minor 3 x AABB
Note: The dancer configuration has been disputed, claiming that Playford’s typesetting was unable to properly show the three couples in the necessary positions. This interpretation, which seems more suited to the instructions, is based on the Lovelace Manuscript (1649), which suggests the three couples be arranged all facing up the hall in a triangle thus:
🡹 1M-1W 2M-2W 🡹
🡹 3M-3W 🡹
I.
A1 1-4: 1st and 2nd Couples lead up a Double and back, while the 3rd Couple leads up to the top between them.
A2 1-4: 1st and 2nd Couples lead up and back again, while the 3rd Couple leads down between them.
B1 1-4: 3rd Couple lead up between the others who take hands on their sides. 3rd Couple cast off and go under their arms, then cross over.
B1 5-8: 3rd Couple go up under the other Couples’ arms, then lead down and cross over to your original places.
B2 1-4: First four take hands and go quite round.
B2 5-8: 3rd Couple turn once around by both hands
II.
A1 1-4: Side Right with your Partner.
A2 1-4: Side Left with your Partner.
B1 1-2: Men form a circle, raising your hands forming arches.
B1 3-4: Women go under the arches to the right of their Partner, turning to face them.
B1 5-8: Take both hands with your Partner and turn once around back to your places.
B2 1-8: Women do the same, the Men going under the arches and turning back to place.
III.
A1 1-4: Arm Right with your Partner.
A2 1-4: Arm Left with your Partner.
B1 1-4: 3rd Couple lead up under the 1st Couple’s arms and turn to face down, the Women facing each other.
B1 5-8: All four take hands and go once around, while the 2nd Couple falls back into the 3rd Couple’s place, the 1st Couple ending in the 2nd Couple’s place.
B2 1-4: 3rd Couple lead down under the 2nd Couple’s arms and turn to face up, the Women facing each other.
B2 5-8: All four take hands and go once around, while the 1st Couple falls back into their original place, all ending in their original places.
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