file size 4.0 MB,
The National Military Band file size 1.9 MB
abcnotation. Note there is a different, Irish folk tune (a slip-jig in 9/8 time) called
"The Butterfly" that is also on this website.
Being a mathematician, this is my attempt at a dance with a unique pattern for its progression.
5 couple longways Folk dance
The Butterfly played 5×ABBA
There is a lively recording of "The Butterfly" on the LP "English Folk Dances for Young People" EFDSS, EMI Records CLP 3753; it is played by the Country Dance Band led by Nan Fleming-Williams. However, this is played 6×ABA for the 24 bar duple minor dance "The Butterfly" and so is not suitable for this dance.
| Here are two contrasting tracks which are the correct length (5×ABBA) | ||
| ● | The Butterfly, A Nuttin We
Will Go (5x32 bars) file size 4.0 MB | |
| ● | The Butterfly (5x32 bars),
The National Military Band file size 1.9 MB |
|
| Sources for scores: | ||
| ● | Cecil Sharp's score, | |
| ● | A score and a midi version of just the melody
can be found as "The Butterfly[2]" at abcnotation. Note there is a different, Irish folk tune (a slip-jig in 9/8 time) called "The Butterfly" that is also on this website. | |
| bars | |
| A1 1‑8 | Lead partner up a double, fall back; repeat. |
| B1 1‑4 | 1st (working) couple and couple below them (2nd couple) ½ right and left through; |
| 5‑8 | working couple and couple below them (3rd couple) ½ right and left through. |
| B2 1‑2 | Working man and person diagonally below him (4th woman) change places, |
| 3‑4 | working woman and person diagonally below her (4th man) change places; |
| 5‑6 | working man and person diagonally below him (5th man) change places, |
| 7‑8 | working woman and person diagonally below her (5th woman) change places. |
| A2 1‑4 | All face down, single casts led by 1st couple at bottom to invert set; |
| 5‑8 | two-hand turn partner (exactly) once round. |
| Note that some couples are now improper. | |
| The next turn through the dance is led by the couple at the bottom of the set, as follows: | |
| A1 1‑8 | Lead partner down a double, fall back up; repeat. |
| B1 1‑4 | Bottom (working) couple and couple above them ½ right and left through; |
| 5‑8 | working couple and couple above them ½ right and left through. |
| B2 1‑2 | Working man and person diagonally above him change places, |
| 3‑4 | working woman and person diagonally above her change places; |
| 5‑6 | working man and person diagonally above him change places, |
| 7‑8 | working woman and person diagonally above her change places. |
| A2 1‑4 | All face up, single casts led by working couple now at top to invert set; |
| 5‑8 | two-hand turn partner once round. |
| Again some couples are proper and some improper. | |
| Repeat 3 more times starting by leading up, then down and finally up. | |
| At end all are proper, but set is inverted with original 5th couple at top and original 1st couple at the bottom. | |
| After a pause, if repeat whole dance (starting again by leading up), then all get back to original places. | |
Graham Foster, February 2004