The Merry Girls Of Epsom
Source: Rutherford (c. 1756), interpreted by Henry Garfath; published in English Dance & Song, Winter-Spring 1976. Vol XXXVIII. No. 1
Formation: Longways; Proper
| A1 |
Star Right (8); #1s Cast Down (#2s Move Up) (4); Partner Set |
| A2 |
Star Left (8); #2s Cast Down (#1s Move Up) (4); Partner Set |
| B1 |
#1s Gallop Down (#2s Move Up); #1s Gallop Up and Cast into Second Place |
| B2 |
Four Changes of Rights & Lefts - start passing Partner by the Right Shoulder, without hands |
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John Sweeney's Interpretation of the Original |
| A1 |
#1s Allemande Right; #1s Wide Cast Down (#2s Move Up) |
| A2 |
#1s Allemande Left; #1s Wide Cast Up (#2s Move Down) |
| B1 |
#1s Gallop Down (#2s Move Up); #1s Gallop Up and Cast into Second Place |
| B2 |
Four Changes of Rights & Lefts - start Right Hand to Partner, with hands |
Music:
32 bar jigs. The original tune is shown below in the page from Rutherford's book. Any 32 bar jig will work.
Notes:
This was published in the same article as The Surrey Hornpipe.
Henry says he was adapting for present day use. In the first half of the dance the #2s do nothing; Henry's changes give the #2s an equal share in that part of the dance. Some documents from that period specify that Rights and Lefts are done with hands; the modern approach is to do what the caller tells you to do!
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