THE HEALTH, or THE MERRY WASSAIL

Longways for eight; in three parts (1st Ed., 1650).

MUSICMOVEMENTS



Running-step throughout the dance.
First Part.
A11–4All lead up a double and fall back a double to places.
5–8Partners set-and-honour.
A21–8All that again.
A31–4First and fourth couples face each other, meet and go back-to-back, staying in the second and third places respectively; while second couple casts up into the first place, and third couple casts down into fourth place.
5–8First man and first woman cast up to the top, and return down the middle to the same places; while fourth man and fourth woman cast down to the bottom, and return up the middle to the same places.
A41–8Movement repeated to places, second and third couples meeting, going back-to-back, etc.



Second Part.
A11–4Hands-all, half-way round, facing outward.
5–8Partners set-and-honour.
A21–4Hands-all, half-way round, counter-clockwise, facing outward to places.
5–8Partners set-and-honour.
A31–4As in A3, First Part.
5–8First and fourth couples hands-four, facing outward.
A41–8As in A3, second and third couples meeting, going back-to-back, etc.



Third Part.
A11–4Partners turn once-and-a-half round and change places (sk.s.).
5–6First and second men, third and fourth men, first and second women, and third and fourth women turn half-way round and change places.
7–8Partners set.
A21–8All that again to places.
A31–4First and fourth couples face each other and meet; while second and third couples cast up and down respectively into first and fourth places.
5–8First and fourth men and women clap their hands and go right-hands-across.
A41–8Movement repeated to places, second and third couples meeting, clapping hands, etc.
Alternative Version:
A31–2First man and fourth woman move forward, meet and join right hands; while second man casts up into first place and third woman casts down into fourth place (r.s.).
3–4First woman and fourth man move forward, meet and join right hands; while second woman casts up into first place and third man casts down into fourth place.
5–8First and fourth couples right-hands-across once round.
A41–8Movement continued to places, second man and third woman meeting, joining hands, etc.

The Round does the alternative version of the Third Part.

Page transcribed by Hugh Stewart