New Bo Peep (1651)
Original Publications:
- The [English] Dancing Master, 1st Edn, published by J. Playford, London 1651 (and all subsequent editions) Original notation
Modern Interpretations:
- [The] Country Dance Book Part 2, Cecil J. Sharp, published by Novello and Company Ltd, London, 1911
Comments:
- One of the few dances which are described as "longways for as many as will" which does not employ a minor set formation
- Known as New Bo Peep in editions 1-3, New Bo Peep or Piccadilly in editions 4-8 and Piccadilly in editions 9-18
- There is no evidence for Sharp's suggestion that you should put your hands on your partners shoulders when standing behind your partner in the chorus
- The dance can be performed with just one couple
Formation:
- Longways for as many as will (whole set)
Music:
Notation:
A1 1-4 | Lead up all a double forwards and back |
A2 1-4 | That again |
B1 1-2 | Women turning round right shoulder and leading with right foot go a double to the wall behind them and stand |
B1 3-4 | Men go a double up to your own and stand behind them |
B1 5-8 | Men then peep four times alternately on each side of their partner from behind them |
B1 9-12 | All fall back a double to place and turn single men a whole turn single and women half a turn single so that all are back facing their partners again |
B2 1-2 | Men turning round right shoulder and leading with right foot go a double to the wall behind them and stand |
B2 3-4 | Women go a double up to your own and stand behind them |
B2 5-8 | Women then peep four times alternately on each side of their partner from behind them |
B2 9-12 | All fall back a double to place and turn single women a whole turn single and men half a turn single so that all are back facing their partners again |
A3 1-4 | Sides all with your own by the right shoulder using straight/oblique/Shaw (whatever you want to call it) siding |
A4 1-4 | That again with your own by the left shoulder using straight/oblique/Shaw (whatever you want to call it) siding. |
B3 1-2 | Men turning round right shoulder and leading with right foot go a double to the wall behind them and stand |
B3 3-4 | Women go a double up to your own and stand behind them |
B3 5-8 | Women then peep four times alternately on each side of their partner from behind them |
B3 9-12 | All fall back a double to place and turn single women a whole turn single and men half a turn single so that all are back facing their partners again |
B4 1-2 | Women turning round right shoulder and leading with right foot go a double to the wall behind them and stand |
B4 3-4 | Men go a double up to your own and stand behind them |
B4 5-8 | Men then peep four times alternately on each side of their partner from behind them |
B4 9-12 | All fall back a double to place and turn single men a whole turn single and women half a turn single so that all are back facing their partners again |
A5 1-4 | Arms all right arm turn with your partner |
A6 1-4 | That again left arm turn with your partner |
B5 1-2 | Women turning round right shoulder and leading with right foot go a double to the wall behind them and stand |
B5 3-4 | Men go a double up to your own and stand behind them |
B5 5-8 | Men then peep four times alternately on each side of their partner from behind them |
B5 9-12 | All fall back a double to place and turn single men a whole turn single and women half a turn single so that all are back facing their partners again |
B6 1-2 | Men turning round right shoulder and leading with right foot go a double to the wall behind them and stand |
B6 3-4 | Women go a double up to your own and stand behind them |
B6 5-8 | Women then peep four times alternately on each side of their partner from behind them |
B6 9-12 | All fall back a double to place and turn single women a whole turn single and men half a turn single so that all are back facing their partners again |
© Michael Barraclough, 21 April 2021
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