Paying The Piper

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

Paying The Piper (R8x32) 3C (4C set) Lewis N Derrick 1987

1-2 The 1st couple turn three quarters round by the right hand to end in the centre of the set, with the nan facing up and the woman facing down
3-4 The 1st couple set, the man turning by the right as he does so to face down
5-6 The 1st man, followed by his partner, dances down the centre of the set to end slightly below the 3rd couple while his partner ends slightly above them
7-8 The 1st and 3rd couples set, the 1st man turning by the right as he does so to face up
9-16 The 1st and 3rd couples dance four hands round to the left and back
17-20 The 1st couple turn one and a quarter times round by the right hand to end facing up with right hands joined
21-24 The 1st couple lead up to the top of the set and cast off one place on their own sides; the 2nd couple step up on bars 23-24
25-28 The 2nd and 1st couples cross over, the women passing under an arch made by the men; all end facing out then set turning by the right to face in
29-32 The 2nd and 1st couples repeat bars 25-28 back to own sides, the men passing under an arch made by the women; all end facing out then set turning by the right to face in

Repeat having passed a couple

(Dance Crib compiled by the deviser, Lewis N Derrick 2020)

Dance Notes

More extrovert male dancers may like to 'skirl' while setting and turning on bars 3-4 and 7-8!
It is important not to slip round too far in the circle (bars 9-16) as the 1st couple must end back in the centre of the set ready to turn one another by the right hand.

(Dance notes by the deviser, Lewis N Derrick)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

Paying The Piper - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Information

This reel, Paying The Piper, was devised for Sandy Walker.

Suggested tune: The Piper's Glass.

Devised November 1987; first published 1989; republished electronically 2020.

(Dance information reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Lewis N Derrick)

The expression "Paying the Piper" originates from the proverb "He who pays the piper calls the tune."

This phrase signifies the idea that the person or entity providing payment for a service or undertaking has the right to dictate the terms or decisions related to that service. The analogy is often used in the context of financial transactions or contractual agreements where the party providing the funds holds influence or control over the associated activities.

Basically, the person who pays of the money has the right to make decisions or lead, similar to how the one paying a musician gets to pick the tune of choice.

Published in The McGhie Scottish Country Dance Books, Volume 4, The McGhie's Seat and Other Scottish Country Dances, reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Lewis N Derrick.

Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'Paying The Piper' page