Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

I'll Ne'er Leave Thee

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

I'LL NE'ER LEAVE THEE (R8x32) 3C (4C set) Jack McConachie SCDs of 18C

1- 8 1s lead down between 2s, cross and cast behind 3s (2s+3s step up 3-4). 2s+3s+1s turn partners RH
9-16 1s lead up between 3s, cross and cast up behind 2s (2s+3s step down 11-12). 1s+2s+3s turn partners RH
17-24 1s+2s circle 4H round to left, 1s cross RH and change places on sides with 2s giving LH
25-32 2s+1s+3s Advance, 2s+3s Retire while 1s release hands and turn to left (1L between 2s, 1M between 3s). Lines of 3 advance (up/down), 2s+3s retire while 1s release hands to turn to left to 2nd place own sides

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


Dance Information

The collector of this reel, Jack McConachie, was a member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. He discovered a manuscript in Oxford University's Bodleian Library, "A Collection of the Newest Country Dances Performed in Scotland" written in 1740 at Edinburgh by D.A. Young, W.M.
McConachie adapted the phrasing of the dances to bring them more into line with 20th century Scottish country dancing of his time, while keeping true to the original style and character of the original dances.
The book "Scottish country dances of the eighteenth century" was published in 1960 by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
I'll Ne'er Leave Thee
The Arundel Tomb, Chichester Cathedral.
Richard Fitzalan, 13th Earl Of Arundel (C1307-1376) And Second Wife Eleanor.
The Joined Hands Are Thought To Be Original, A Rare Early Example


Image copyright Julian P Guffogg under this Creative Commons Licence 2.0.
Additional search terms: Neer, Never.

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