Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

The Boatman

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE BOATMAN (S4x32) 4C set Cliff Fryer
3s and 4s start on opposite sides

1- 8 1s+4s dance interlocking Figs of 8 on sides (1s in/down, 4s in/up to start)
9-16 2s and 3s dance Figs of 8 across crossing between 1s/4s to start
17-24 1s+2s also 3s+4s dance ½ R&L, 1s+4s dance ½ R&L. (2)(4)13
25-32 All circle 8H round and back

Note: 1st and 3rd time through 3rd and 4th couples start on opposite sides; 2nd and 4th time through 1st and 2nd couples start on opposite sides

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)


Dance Information

From John Fairbairn we understand that the dance is named after Jim Henderson who owns a Thames cruiser and ended up as a sort of gondolier once when he offered trips and rather more people turned up than he expected.

Boatman Image
Boatman


Image copyright Gjoseph at English Wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

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