The Holly Berry

Source: Traditional, interpreted by Dave Townsend and Ken Bonner; published in English Dance & Song, Christmas 1981 Volume 43 Number 4.
Formation: Longways for Four to Eight Couples; Proper

Dave Townsend's Version for Six or Eight Couples
A1 Long Lines Go Forward & Back; Cross Over (optional Arches)
A2 Repeat
B1 In Fours: Star Right; Star Left
B2 Top Couple Gallop to the Bottom - everyone move up
C1 In New Fours: Star Right; Star Left
C2 All Face Down & Take Cross-Hand Hold: Double Cast to the Right from the Bottom and then Down to Place

Ken Bonner's Version for Four Couples
A1 Long Lines Go Forward & Back; Cross Over - Men making Arches
A2 In Fours: Star Right
Top Couple Gallop to the Bottom - everyone move up
C1 In New Fours: Star Left
All Face Down & Take Gay Gordon's Hold (Man's right arm behind Lady's head): Double Cast to the Left from the Bottom
C2 Continue the Double Cast Down to Place
Partner Swing

Music:
Jigs of suitable length depending on which version you choose.

Notes:
Dave has the whole of B2 for the top couple to gallop to the bottom, when they only need half of that time; I would probably get them to swing to the bottom to use up the time.

Ken's version has the challenge of the dancers getting all the way around the Star and out of the way so that the top couple can gallop; the Double Cast is across the musical phrase so I might suggest to the dancers that they use the phrasing to separate the leading couple's Cast Up and their Cast Down.


Original page from English Dance & Song, Christmas 1981


The Holly Berry

Original page from English Dance & Song, Spring 1982


The Holly Berry

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


The Holly Berry

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Contrafusion