Welsh Folk Dance

Lord of Caernarfon’s Jig

This dance was first published in Playford’s Dancing Master, 1650. Though both dance and tune are probably older, it is a type of Country Dance that became popular in fashionable circles in the Restoration period.

  There is no definite information as to the step used, but it was probably danced in a light springy walking step, or with a slight chassé on the fourth beat in some of the movements, according to the skill of the dancers.

  The Gypsy is performed by two dancers close together, shoulders almost touching, linking little fingers; 8 steps round in a complete circle clockwise, then counter-clockwise.

  The formation is a column of 4 couples facing up, men with their partners on their right. Each 4 bars of A and B music are repeated, and the whole 16 bars played 8 times complete the dance.

Music: Set tune / medley
(Click here for a sample from our CD, Track 16)

Part 1

A1 All lead up a double and back.

A2 Repeat.

B1 Partners dance the whole gypsy clockwise.

B2 Repeat, counter-clockwise.

A1 1^st couple change places and go down outside 2^nd couple,

A2 cross over below the 2^nd couple and outside 3^rd couple.

B1 1^st couple lead through4th couple, and followed by the 4^th, 3^rd, and 2^nd couples, in that order, cast up to places,

B2 and all turn partners and face down.

Part 2

Repeat all that; 2^nd couple leading down.

Part 3

Repeat with 3^rd couple leading up.

Part 4

Repeat with 4^th couple leading down, and all finish in original places.

Back to the Folk Dances page - here

Back to the Pluck & Squeeze Band CD page - here