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)

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.

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