Cabbages And Kings

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

CABBAGES and KINGS (J8x32) 3C (4C set) Romaine Butterfield Harbour City

1- 8 1s+2s dance R&L
9-16 1s lead down the middle for 3, lead back to top and cast to 2nd place own sides (2s step up 15-16)
17-24 1s turn 1st corners RH and return to 2nd place own side, turn 2nd corners LH and return to 2nd place own side
25-32 1s dance RH across (Lady with 2s and Man with 3s), and dance LH across with other couple 1s end in 2nd place own side

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

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

Cabbages And Kings - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Instruction Videos

Cabbages And Kings - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

The title of this dance, Cabbages And Kings, comes from The Walrus And The Carpenter - Poem written by Lewis Carroll that appeared in his book Through The Looking-Glass, published in December 1871.

"The time has come", the Walrus said,
   "To talk of many things:
Of shoes-and ships-and sealing-wax-
   Of cabbages-and kings-
And why the sea is boiling hot-
   And whether pigs have wings."

"Cabbages and Kings" is a whimsical and intriguing chapter from Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There", featuring the characters of The Walrus and The Carpenter. The poem unfolds as a narrative within the larger framework of Carroll's fantastical world.

In this chapter, The Walrus and The Carpenter are found strolling along the beach, engaging in a conversation with Alice. The characters entertain Alice with a peculiar tale about a group of oysters. The story, often seen as an allegory, explores themes of exploitation and the consequences of misplaced trust.

The title, "Cabbages and Kings", has become a popular phrase denoting a collection of unrelated topics or matters - a nod to Carroll's use of language play. The chapter showcases Carroll's unique blend of nonsense, wit, and subtle social commentary, contributing to the enduring charm of his literary works.

In the Doctor Who episode, "Rings of Akhaten", the Doctor mentions "Shoes and ships and sealing-wax and cabbages and kings", when talking about things made by the stars.

A line from the poem was used by O. Henry for the title of his 1904 book Cabbages and Kings.

One of the stories in the 1998 Star Trek collection Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, was named "Of Cabbages And Kings", a line taken from the poem.

The Walrus And The Carpenter Poem - Information Video

Briny Beach
A Scene From "The Walrus And The Carpenter", By Lewis Carroll, Drawn By Sir John Tenniel In 1871

Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original The Walrus And The Carpenter article on Wikisource.
Image copyright Mr. Absurd, public domain.

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