Lack O' Men

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

3W 4W
1M 2M
1W 2W
Starting Position

4W 2M 3W
2W 1M 1W
After 40 bars

2W 1W
2M 1M
4W 3W
After 80 bars

1W 1M 2W
3W 2M 4W
After 120 bars

The dancers start as in a longways set, with two ladies in first couple's position, two men in second couple's position and two ladies in third couple's position.
During the dance, which is repeated four times, the ladies will dance in each of the four 'corner' positions and the men in each of the four positions between the ladies

1-2 All set in lines of three
3-4 All circle to the left (four steps)
5-6 All set in a circle
7-8 All circle to the right (four steps) finishing in positions as at bar 1
9-16 Reels of three on the sides (men right shoulder to the lady on their right)
17-20 Men pass left shoulder to dance half a reel of 4 with the ladies diagonally opposite them on the right, 2W and 3W (first corners in a normal set)
21-24 Men pass right shoulder to dance half a reel of four with the ladies who were diagonally opposite them on their left, 1W and 4W (second corners in a normal set) men finish on opposite sides
25-26 Men turn three quarters of the way round with right hands WHILE ladies cross right hands.
First and third times through -1W cross with 2W, 3W cross with 4W, second and fourth times through - 2W cross with 4W, 3W cross with 1W
27-28 Men set to each other WHILE ladies change left hands on the sides.
First and third times through - 1W change with 3W, 2W change with 4W, second fourth times through 1W change with 2W and 3W change with 4W
29-30 Men turn three quarters with the right hand WHILE ladies cross right hand
First and third times through -1W cross with 2W, 3W cross with 4W, second and fourth times through - 2W cross with 4W, 3W cross with 1W
31-32 All set in lines of three
33-34 Men petronella to the right, finishing between two ladies
35-36 All set in lines of three
37-40 All advance two steps and retire two steps

Repeat from new positions

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Sue Petyt, 1995)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

Lack O' Men - Full Size And Key To Symbols

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