The Lincoln Imp

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1M+2M Set+Link; 2M+1M+3M dance ½ LSh reel of 3 (1M+3M pass LSh) while 1L+2L Set+Link
9-16 1M+2M Set+Link; 3M+2M+1M dance ½ LSh reel of 3 (2M+3M pass LSh) while 2L+1L+3L dance LSh reel of 3 (1L+3L pass LSh). Now 123 on Men's side, 213 on Ladies' side
17-24 1M followed by 1L casts behind 2M, crosses up, casts down round 2L and crosses to 2nd place own side. 213
25-32 2s+1s+3s circle 6H round and back

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

1- 4 1M and 2M set and link
5- 8 1W and 2W set and link while 2M, 1M and 3M dance ½ reel of 3, 1M left shoulder to 3M to begin
9-16 1M and 2M set and link followed by ½ reel of 3, 2M giving L shoulder to 3M. While 2W, 1W and 3W dance reel of 3, 1W and 3W passing left to begin.
17-24 1st couple dance fig of 8 chase round 2nd couple, (1M followed by 1W), finish in second place own side, 2M step up 19-20
25-32 2nd, 1st, 3rd couples circle 6H round and back

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Deirdre MacCuish Bark, September 2013)

1 - 4 1st and 2nd men, Set and Link. Finishing with 1st man facing out in 2nd place and 2nd man in top place facing in.
5 - 8 2nd, 1st and 3rd men, dance a half reel of three. 1st and 3rd men pass left to begin. 1st man curves by the left to finish in 2nd place facing in on bar#8.
At the same time, 1st and 2nd women dance Set and Link, finishing with 1st woman in 2nd place facing in and 2nd woman in top place facing out.
9 - 16 1st and 2nd men, Set and Link. Flow into a half reel of three, with 2nd man passing 3rd man by the left to begin. Bar #16, the men are in the order 1 2 3 on their own side with 1st man facing out.
At the same time, 2nd, 1st and 3rd woman dance a reel of three on the side, with 1st and 3rd woman passing left to begin. Bar #16 the women are in the order 2 1 3 on their own side.
17 - 24 Figure of 8 Chase: 1st man, followed by his partner, casts off one place, dances diagonally up to cast off behind 2nd woman, crossing into 2nd place on his own side, as 1st woman finishes in 2nd place on her own side.
2nd man steps up on bars 19 and 20.
25 - 32 2nd, 1st and 3rd couples dance six hands round to the left and back.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Deirdre MacCuish Bark, September 2013)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

The Lincoln Imp - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Instruction Videos

Dance Information

The Lincoln Imp, is said in legend, to have been sent by the devil to plague the clergy in Lincoln Cathedral.

He was blown in the great west doors, by the west wind and blew out the candles, scattered the hymn sheets and attacked the choristers. He flew into the angel choir and when he threatened to pluck out the angels' feathers, the smallest angel turned him into stone.

He can be found today near the top of one of the pillars in the cathedral.

Music: The Lincoln Imp: Muriel Johnstone Scotscores 2013.

(Dance information by the deviser, Deirdre MacCuish Bark, September 2013)

Building commenced in 1072 and it was the tallest building in the world for 238 years (1311-1549), the first building to hold that title after the Great Pyramid of Giza. The cathedral is the third largest in Britain (in floor area) after St Paul's and York Minster, being 484 by 271 feet (148 by 83 m). It is highly regarded by architectural scholars; the eminent Victorian writer John Ruskin declared: "I have always held... that the cathedral of Lincoln is out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have".

The Lincoln Imp - Information Video

Keith Bark - The Lincoln Imp After Whom This Dance Is Named

The Lincoln Imp, Lincoln Cathedral

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