The Yellow Rose of Texas

Source: Ron Smedley; published by Bernard Chalk in English Dance & Song, December 1963, Volume XXVI No.1
Formation: Square Mixer

A1	#1s Lead Out to the Right, Circle Up Four #1 Man leaves a Side Line of Three and goes on to #3s Circle Up Three; Pick up #4s with Left Hand
A2	Circle Up Five to a Side Line; #1 Man joins his Partner Should now be in Side Lines, everyone near their Home
B1	Lines of Four Go Forward & Back Pair Off: Go Forward again, turn your back to your Partner; take your Neighbour in a Promenade Hold Promenade back to the Man's side (still in Side Lines) - this is your new Partner
B2	Ladies' Chain x2 across the Side Lines
C1	All Four Ladies Chain Half Way x2
C2	Promenade to the Man's Home

Music:
Looking at the number of moves, it looks to me as though it needs 48 bars. It seems strange that Bernard says "they are phrased to the tune" since the song is 32 bars (a 16 bar verse and a 16 bar chorus).

Notes:
After #1 Man leads the circle of five into the side line, he then has to cross diagonally all the way across the set to get to his next position in side lines beside his partner. There is plenty of time for this, and maybe an opportunity for a little improvisation during this solo journey, maybe throw in a spin.

Mo Waddington says that at Manley in the '80s, and at other clubs since, the man went across then round the back of his line to stand by his partner, so not too much music (if the sets were too big or the room crowded, maybe not enough).

The dance is done four times lead by #1 Man, #2 Man, #3 Man and finally #4 Man. The ladies' progression is unusual: head ladies move clockwise around the set; side ladies move anti-clockwise, so Ladies #1 and #3 alternate between being the Active Lady. As Mo Waddington points out this has the frustrating side effect that #2 Lady is the first to get dumped each time!

Original page from English Dance & Song, December 1963

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