Home John's Dance Articles John's Dance Instructions Dances from English Dance & Song Morris Dancing

I've been to Ireland, I've been to Dover

Source: Mr. & Mrs. Victor Simpson; published in English Dance & Song, September 1949. Volume XIII No 5
Formation: Circle; Couples Facing Anti-Clockwise

Music:
Own tune and words. Some of the actions relate to the words.

Notes:
See also I've Been to Harlem.

If you search for "I've been to Harlem" or "Turn the Glasses Over" you will find videos of people dancing this. The common features are:
The footwork in the version below is more complex than any other version that I have seen.

Where you have been to in the song varies depending on who is singing it. There are lots of examples of Haarlem, rather than Harlem, which seems more likely as the original words since Haarlem is a port in the Netherlands and Dover is a port in England.


Original page from English Dance & Song, September 1949


I've Been To Ireland

Back to Dance Index

I'd love to hear from you if you know anything more about this dance, its composer, its style, or its history.

Feedback is very welcome on any aspect of these dances or Web pages.

Please contact John Sweeney with your comments.



Contrafusion