Mage on a Cree

1651Circle
Ed. 1-16 Round – 4 Couples
G Minor 3 x AAAA

Note: This tune was included in all 18 editions, but was called by various names, including “Mage on a Cree,” (editions 1-3) “Mage on a Tree,” (editions 4-7) “Madge on a Tree,” (8-18) and “Margery Cree” (17-18, alt.) For most of the editions, the accompanying dance was a Round Dance for four couples. In the last couple editions, the dance was changed to a longways dance for as many as will. To keep these dances distinct, I have used the first and last titles for the two different dances.

I.

A1 1-8: All take hands and meet a Double, back again.
A1 7-16: Set and Turn Single.

A2 1-16: That again.

A3 1-8: Men meet in the middle, turn back to back, and come back to your places.
A3 9-16: Then turn your Corner once around.

A4 1-8: Women meet, turn back to back, and come back to your places.
A4 9-16: Then turn your Partner.

II.

A1 1-8: Side Right with your Partner.
A1 7-16: Set and Turn Single.

A2 1-16: That again, Siding Left.

A3 1-8: Men go in front of their Corner, then behind the next Woman.
A3 9-16: Women Meet and Turn Single back to your places.

A4 1-8: Men continue the same way back to your places.
A4 9-16: Women Meet and Turn Single again.

A5&6: Women weave around the Men as the Men did before, and the Men Meet and Turn Single.

III.

A1 1-8: Arm Right with your Partner.
A1 7-16: Set and Turn Single.

A2 1-16: That again, Arming Left.

A3 1-8: All turn your Corner one and a half times around to change places.
A3 9-16: Turn the next person the same way.

A4 1-8: Turn the next person the same way.
A4 9-16: Turn your Partner the same way to end by your Partner proper.

Original Text: