Queen Of Hearts (McEdward)
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
QUEEN OF HEARTS (Off With Their Heads) (R4x32) 4C set Ray McEdward San Diego 45th Anniversary1- 8 1s lead down (2 bars), lead up and cast to 4th place into centre and join 2H (2s+3s+4s step up 5-6)
9-20 1s retire to 4th place (9-10) while 2s+3s+4s dance R&L for 3 couples. 2341
21-24 2s+3s+4s turn partner RH, 3s face out
25-32 RSh reels of 3 on sides (3M up/out, 3L out/down). 2341
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams
Dance Information
The phrase "Queen of Hearts (Off With Their Heads)" is a reference to the Queen of Hearts character from Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."Written in 1865, the novel features the Queen of Hearts as the tyrannical ruler of Wonderland, known for her command "Off with their heads!" This phrase becomes a recurring threat throughout the story, illustrating the queen's impulsive and ruthless approach to justice.
In the story, the Queen of Hearts rules a strange and dreamlike court. Characters like Alice get caught up in weird and random legal matters. The Queen's habit of ordering executions is a way of making fun of random and unfair legal actions.
"Off with their heads" encapsulates the Queen's authoritarian rule and contributes to the overall absurdity and fantasy of Wonderland. The character has become a famous symbol of unreasonable power and is still a significant part of popular culture. Different versions and mentions of the Queen of Hearts show up in various types of media.
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