The Geese in the Bog

An 8x32 bar Jig for 3 couples in a 4-couple longwise set

Music: The Geese in the Bog. (abc version).

Bars	1-4:	1st and 2nd couples dance half rights and lefts.
	5-6:	Joining hands on the sides, 2nd and 1st couples set.
	7-8:	2nd couples crosses over giving left hands while 1st couple turn to face first corners giving left hands.
	9-12:	1st couple dance half a reel of four with first corners.
	13-16:	1st couple pass right shoulders and dance half a reel of four with second corners.
	17-18:	1st man and 3rd couple, and 1st lady and 2nd couple dance right hands across halfway.
	19-22:	1st couple dance clockwise halfway round the set to change places while 2nd and 3rd couples dance left hands across once round.
	23-24:	1st lady and 3rd couple, and 1st man and 2nd couple dance right hands across half way.
	25-28:	3rd man and 2nd lady lead a snake pass. (3rd man, followed by 3rd and 1st ladies, dances in turn through the positions of 2nd lady, 2nd man and 3rd man to end in 3rd lady's place, while 2nd lady, followed by 2nd and 1st men, dances in turn through the positions of 2nd man, 2nd lady and 1st lady to end in 1st man's place. The snakes pass left shoulders.) Finish in the order 2, 1, 3, all on partner's side of the dance.
	29-32:	Joining hands on the sidelines, all set and cross over giving right hands.

Repeat, having passed a couple.

Devised by Ian Brockbank and published in Dunedin Dances 4.

This dance and 'The Mill of Towie' came out of the concept of the alternating wheels (sorry, hands across), with 1st couple throwing the others into a muddle in the middle and drifting safely round the outside before taking pity and bringing them back out to place. They were my first Sunday-morning dances.

I heard the tune on a 'Boys of the Lough' recording, and it seemed to fit the dance, conjuring up images of strings of geese meandering aimlessly yet purposefully, all the time lost. Of course, it helps that it's a good tune.

If you try this dance, please let me know how you get on.

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Page last modified 31-03-04 .

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This page is maintained by Ian Brockbank
ian@scottishdance.net
Edinburgh, Scotland