The Five-Hand Reel

Source: Thomas Hardy, interpreted by Julian Pilling and the Diddle Daddle Dancers; published in English Dance & Song, August 1965, Volume XXVII No. 4
Formation: Five Dancers in a Cross

Slow Measure	Stepping, during which (except for the first time): Middle changes places with the first person they faced in the Heys
Quick Measure	Hey for three: Middle turns 1/4 left (except for the first hey of the dance) and starts right shoulder Hey for three: Middle turns 1/4 left and starts right shoulder

Music:
Reels & Hornpipes to fit whatever the dancers are doing.

Notes:
The musician keeps playing until all the dancers have dropped out from exhaustion!

Here is Thomas Hardy's description from 1893.

The article below was reprinted in Volume 43 Number 2 in 1981. Then lots more information (reproduced below) was published in Volume 43 Number 3 1981.

Thomas Wilson documented various versions of a Reel of Five starting in 1808.

See also Three-Hand Reel and Four-Hand Reel and Dummer's Five Hand Reel.

Original page from English Dance & Song, August 1965

Original pages from English Dance & Song, Volume 43 Number 3 1981

Original page from English Dance & Song, Summer/Autumn 1982

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