Corn Rigs

Source: Collected by Tony Foxworthy in Northumbria; published in English Dance & Song, Spring 1970. Volume. XXXII No. 1
Formation: Three Couples; Longways; Proper

A1	#1 Lady Casts to the Bottom and continues around the outside of the set to #1 Man's position WHILE #1 Man follows #1 Lady, but dances up the middle of the set to #1 Lady's position
A2	Repeat with #1 Man leading
B1	#1s dance down the middle of the set, #2s follow #1s, #3s follow #2s #3s make an arch and everyone dances back up the set to their original position
B2	#1s Cast to the Bottom WHILE #2s and #3s Swing one place up the set

Music:
Own tune, or any suitable 32-bar tune.

Notes:
It is unclear whether #3s turn before making the arch, or dance backwards as in the similar move in Steamboat. It is unclear as to whether #2s make an arch as well.

In the longways versions (see below) #1 Man turns to face #1 Lady at the end of A1. The figure in A1/A2 is known as the Back Door Key or Little Back Door in Appalachian Big Set/Kentucky Running Set, but normally only dancing around one couple, as in the longways duple minor version (below). In that move the new leader does not turn back to face, but continues smoothly into the second half of the figure. The call is "Lady round two and the man slips through".

The dance was originally a Triple Minor:
Source: RegencyDances.org c. 1725
Formation: Longways; Proper; Triple Minor

A1	As A1 above, dancing around two couples
A2	Repeat with #1 Man leading
B1	Top Four: Half Pousette CW Bottom Four: Half Poussette AC
B2	All Six: Circle Left; Circle Right

A duple-minor longways version is more common these days:
Source: Community Dances Manual #3, July 1952.
Formation: Longways; Proper; Duple Minor

A1	Polka step: As A1 above, dancing around one couple - finish facing partner All step in place
A2	Repeat with #1 Man leading
B1	Single-step: #1s dance down the middle of the set, #2s follow Polka Step: #2s make an arch and everyone dances back up the set to their original position
B2	Swing & Change: #1s and #2s polka or swing around each other one and a half times to progress

Notes:
Dancing energetically around only one couple means there is time to show off your fancy footwork by stepping to your partner at the end of each chase. The CDM reprint specifies twelve beats to do the figure and four for stepping. It also recommends short sets (four or five couples) so that everyone gets to dance the Back Door Key.

If you search for "Corn Rigs" on the Web you will mostly find references to a Scottish dance which is completely different. While it shares some figures with the versions above, it leaves out the signature Back Door Key figure.

The dance was collected in Northumbria where they were very proud of their stepping; see the letter below for details of the Northumbrian style.

Original page from English Dance & Song, Spring 1970

Original page from English Dance & Song, October 1946

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