Boat-man

Boat man is a dance from Playford's Dancing Master.

Steps and Movements Used

• Doubles forward, with left and right (DL and DR), and back (DLb and DRb)
• Set and Turn left and right (STL and STR)
• Hey
• Turn your own
• Sides (SdR and SdL)
• Arms (AR and AL)

Choreography

This dance starts with three couples facing up the hall, one after the other.

First Verse

Holding customary hands with partners, do a double forward, then a double back again. Set and Turn left. Repeat to the other side.

DL, DRb
STL
DR, DLb
STR

First Chorus

The first couple and the second man perform a hey with each other. This hey starts with the first couple taking right hands. While this is happening the third couple and second woman also perform a hey. This hey starts with the third couple taking right hands.

Each couple then turns their own.

The first couple and the second woman perform a hey with each other. This hey starts with the first couple taking left hands. While this is happening the third couple and second man also perform a hey. This hey starts with the third couple taking left hands.

Each couple then turns their own.

Second Verse

Couples side by the right with each other; set and Turn left. Repeat to the other side.

SdR
STL
SdL
STR

Second Chorus

The first couple and the second man take hands in a circle and go half way around. At the same time, the third couple and the second woman take hands in a circle and go half way around. This will leave the men on the right hand side and the women on the left, and everyone will have new partners.

Each couple then turns their own.

The first couple and the second woman take hands in a circle and go half way around. At the same time, the third couple and the second man take hands in a circle and go half way around. This will leave the men on the left hand side and the women on the right, and everyone will have new partners.

Each couple then turns their own.

Third Verse

Couples arm by the right with each other. Set and Turn left. Repeat to the other side.

AR
STL
AL
STR

Third Chorus

The first and last man and second woman all take hands and go around in a full circle.

The second couple turn each other.

The first and last woman and second man all take hands and go around in a full circle.

The second couple turn each other.

Music

The music is usually played through three times.

External links

• Facsimile of the 1651 instructions