Stingo
Stingo, also known as Oyle of Barley 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)
- Sides (SdR and SdL)
- Arms (AR and AL)
Choreography
This dance starts with three sets of couples facing each other, in a line.
First Verse
DLb, DR
(after these doubles turn to face up the hall)
DL, DRb
First Chorus
Men right hands in and around (men turn full circle)
Men STL
Women left hands in and around (women turn full circle)
Women STR,
Second Verse
SdR
SdL
Second Chorus
DL, DR (turning left (men face up the hall, women down), do a double, then turn around and double back)
STL
DL, DR (turning right (men face down the hall, women up), do a double, then turn around and double back)
STR
Third Verse
AR
AL
Third Chorus
First couple cross paths and pass to the outside between the second and third couple. Pass to the inside around the bottom couple.
First couple cross paths and pass to the outside between the second and third couple again and come back to their places.
First couple casts off over their shoulders, back to their own places, each couple turns their partner.
First couple casts off to the bottom of the line, creating a new top couple.
Music
The music for Stingo is played through nine times. It is the same tune used in Lulle me beyond thee. The tune also accompanies two 17th century songs, Cold and Raw and Oyle of Barley. The latter is a lively song dedicated to beer, and has the following opening verse in some versions:
There's a lusty liquor which good fellows use to take - a,
It is distill'd with nard most rich, and water of the lake - a;
Of hop a little quantity, and barm to it they bring too;
Being barrell'd up, they call't a cup of dainty good old stingo.
