Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

The Drummer And The Dancer

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE DRUMMER AND THE DANCER (R3x32) 3C set Mats Melin Scandinavian Dance Book 1

1- 8 1s set, cast (2s step up); 1s dance DoSiDo
9-16 All set with 1s advancing join LH with partner and RH with 2s/3s, 1L+2s and 1M+3s dance RH across, 1s turn RH and retain hands while 2s and 3s cross RH to opposite side
17-24 All set with 1s joining LH with 2s/3s, 1L+3s and 1M+2s dance LH across, 1s ½ turn RH to face down while 2s and 3s cross LH to own side facing out
25-30 Mirror reels of 3 on sides (1s down and cast up round 3rd place, 2s out/down, 3s out/up to start)
31-32 1s cross down RH to 3rd place own side while 3s cast up to 2nd place and polite turn

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


Dance Information

This dance was created in honour of Anders and Susanne Gjörling.

Anders and Susanne first crossed paths in 1969 at the Stockholm Scottish Country Dance Club. At that time, Susanne was already an experienced dancer, while Anders, a drummer in the newly established Thistle Pipe Band, was encouraged by the Pipe Major to take up dancing so he could perform the sword dance at band events.

This initiative to introduce young bandsmen to the club's female dancers was a resounding success, leading not only to Anders and Susanne's marriage in 1973, but also to three other marriages.

The Sword Dance David Cunliffe, c. 1853
"The Sword Dance" David Cunliffe, c. 1853



Image from David Cunliffe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

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