See Robert M Keller's Illustrated Compendium.
This dance was first published during 1701 in the 11th edition of Volume 1 of Playford's "Dancing Master".
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| Music & notation for Barham Down, as published by Playford in 1701 See Robert M Keller's Illustrated Compendium. |
Nowadays it is often danced following Tom Cook's interpretation as given in his booklet "Come Let's Be Merry" (EFDSS 1975). However, this involves changes from the Playford text, and his movements for the A music can get a bit hectic unless the music is played at a gentle pace.
I feel that the interpretation given below keeps more closely to the Playford, and it can be danced to faster paced music.
Duple minor (proper) Folk dance
The Playford version is a triple minor. Dancing as a duple minor involves no changes at all to the figures given by Playford, just who performs the movements with the working couple during the B2 music. It makes the non-leading couples more active, which better matches modern expectations.
Here is a slightly less lively alternative:
(file size 4.6 MB)A score and midi verion is available at abcnotation.
Note that the music is in 6/4 time (triple time), and dancers take 3 steps to each bar.
| bars | |
| A1 1‑2 | 1st couple cast down to 2nd places, as 2nd couple move up, |
| 3‑4 | 1st couple two-hand turn once round. |
| A2 1‑2 | 2nd couple cast back down, as 1st couple move up, |
| 3‑4 | 2nd couple two-hand turn once round. |
| B1 1‑4 | 1st couple cross straight over,
cast down and half figure-of-8 up through their 2nd couple, (The 1st couple have only 12 steps for this) Once 1st couple has passed up through them and started to move down the outside, 2nd couple move up and face down individually ready for next 1st couple above to join them. |
| B2 1 | Lines lead down, |
| 2 | lines fall back up; |
| 3‑4 | 1st couple gatepost ¾ around new 2nd couple to progressed places. |
| It is important that the 2nd couples move up during B1 3-4; if they do not, then the whole set drifts down the hall! | |
