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

[Bold text represents original instructions and light text represents interpretations by Michael Barraclough]

© Michael Barraclough, 21 April 2021



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