Hands Across The Sea

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

HANDS ACROSS THE SEA (R8x32) 3C (4C set) Peter Foster Second Canberra Book

1- 4 1s+2s+3s dance ½ reels of 3 on sides, 1s then 2s crossing down from 1st place
5- 8 1s+3s turn partners RH, cast (3s down, 1s up). 1M+3L meet behind 2M, 1L+3M meet behind 2L
9-12 1M+3L also 1L+3M turn once round RH and face each other
13-16 1s+3s pass RSh, 1s dance through 1st place, pass partner RSh to own sides while 3s dance similar through 3rd place, dancing RSh round each other to own side (1s facing out, 3s facing in). 1(2)3
17-20 1s+2s turn on sides 1½ (LH on Men's side, RH on Ladies' side)
21-24 1L+2s also 1M+3s dance ½ reels of 3 across (1L LSh to 2L in 1M's place, 1M LSh to 3M in 3L's place)
25-32 1s dance down, cast up round 3s, cross up RH at top and cast to 2nd place. 213

Note: 2nd time through Bars 31-32: 1s cast to 4th place, 4s step up

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

Dance Information

This dance can also be performed in three-couple sets. When arranging three, or four-couple sets, it is best to place them alongside at least one other set of a similar size. This positioning allows for a variation in bars 9–12, where the first woman and third man join with the first man and third woman from the neighbouring set to dance right hands across.

This right hands across with dancers from an adjacent set symbolises the connection of "Hands Across The Sea".

After completing this movement, they return to their own sets and continue the dance as usual.

Postcard Hands across the sea. New Zealand. 'National' series, made in Gt Britain. c. 1910

Hands Across The Sea, Postcard, Made In Gt Britain, c. 1910

Published in https://minicrib.org.uk/Publications/The Second Canberra Book of SCDs.pdf.
Image from National Library NZ on The Commons, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons.

Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'Hands Across The Sea' page