This is primarily a teaching dance, but will also be used for some performances.
The dance is flexible on the number of dancers required. You can probably get away with 5-8 dancers.
The aim was for a dance that could be broken down into individual moves and parts of moves that could be taught and built up in sections. Also, to avoid all use of the words ‘left’ and ‘right’. Try and avoid referring to the dancer’s number. Try and avoid even giving them numbers, apart from number 1.
If time allows, teach them to sing ‘Bobby Shafto’. This will aid timing and understanding how long a move lasts. Emphasise that each section will end on ‘Bonny Bobbie Shafto’ so they can anticipate the change of move.
If less time, settle for teaching them to clap and count to 16 for the A and B melody.
If even less time, just dive right in!
Explain the terms ‘hilt’ and ‘point’.
Form the children up in a line, one behind the other.
Walk on
Left foot start.
16 steps to walk on, turn in the direction of the swords (ie. clockwise) and form a circle. Stop with a firm stamp on 16 (Shafto).
If they have a long walk to get to where they have space to dance, then they can do the music twice before stopping. The key points are to keep walking in time with the music and to and up in a circle, with a firm stamp on the final ‘Shafto’.
Raise Swords to High Touch
1-2 Number one raises his sword high in the air. LIFT, UP
3 Number 1takes a small step towards the centre of the circle. If there are a lot of dancers, it will need to be a big step. STEP
4 He moves his sword down a little, to position for a high basket. TUCK
5-8 The dancer BEHIND number one does the same but tucks the end of his sword under Number 1’s. LIFT, UP, STEP, TUCK
It’s very important that the dancer behind goes second, as this makes it easier for him to copy what number 1 has just done.
Continue this pattern for each dancer in turn, with four beats for each dancer. Each dancer (if young) should call out the words to help them keep in time to the music.
When all dancers have their swords in the high basket, hold position until the next phrase of the music begins.
Circle and Clash
Walk round in a circle, ending on ‘Shafto’.
If all swords are correctly tucked behind each other (as they should be if everyone followed the ‘under’ instruction correctly), then they can do a gentle sword clash as they walk round.
Elbows
Everyone carries out this action at the same time.
1-2 ARM DOWN – Lower your hand to the outside of your right leg, while keep the sword pointed up. (Sword should be slightly off the shoulder to make next move easier)
3-4 ELBOW BEND – Bend elbow to make a right angle, thus tilting sword gently backwards.
5-6 GRAB POINT – Grab the point of the sword in front of you
7-8 THEN CLASH – Clash hilt over point on the last beat.Circle with the swords in elbow position for until the end of a suitable phrase in the music.
Feel free to clash the hilts on the points in time to the music.
Shoulders (basic version)
1-2 Swords up, (all the way up, straight arms)
3-4 Swords come crisply down on the outside shoulder (it helps if you take a small step towards the inside of the circle)
5-6 Swords up
7-8 Swords come down on the inside shoulder
9-10 Swords up
11-12 Arms come down on the outside shoulder.
13-14 Swords up
15-16 Circle (Swords come down and open into a circle)
Shoulders (advanced version)
1-2 Arms go right up,
3-4 Swords come down on the outside shoulder
5-6 Arms go up
7-8 Swords come down on the inside shoulder
9-10 Arms go up
11-12 Arms come down on the outside shoulder.
13-14 Arms go up
15-16 Turn (in). Swords come down on the inside shoulder and the dancers turn inwards to end up going the other way round the circle. ie. They are now going anti-clockwise.
Repeat the same set of moves 1-14, but turn inwards to face clockwise on 15-16 and open into a ring. (ie. this replaces the final ‘inside shoulder’)
Circle 16 – Start large and gradually make the circle a bit smaller (this makes the ‘over own sword’ move easier)
Over Own Sword (aka Snake)
Each dancer should in stand the circle facing clockwise (rather than facing in), each in turn, progressing clockwise, will step over the sword in their right hand (it helps to bring the hand forward of the hip), raise their arms, turn to face forward and bring their left arm down in a sweeping movement to aid the next dancer.
1-2 Lift your right foot over sword (it will be the foot closest to the sword)
3-4 Lift your left foot over sword
5-6 Lift your arms and turn around
7-8 Swing your left sword (holding the point of your neighbour’s sword) down in a half-circle movement. (it should end in the correct place for the next dancer to be able to easily step over it)
Depending on preference, this move can go once or twice around the circle.
Circle 16 +When everyone has gone over their swords, circle to use up any remaining music, and then continue circling for another 16.
Lock
Facing into the centre of the circle.
Cross your right wrist over your left wrist. (ie. with the hand holding a sword hilt passing over the hand holding a point)
Push your hand towards the next persons hand until you are touching fists.
Let go with your right hand (the one on top, holding a hilt). Gasp the X where two swords cross in front of you.
Use your left hand to tuck the point it is holding under the hilt of the other sword. There needs to be about 5cm of each sword sticking out when you have finished.
I doubt they’ll be able to do it at music speed, but if they can, calls would be:
1-4 Cross your right wrist, hilt over point
5-8 Push your fists until they touch
9-12 Let go hilt, hold the cross
13-16 Tuck hilt under point
Number one takes the completed lock and lifts it in the air vertically.
Pause for applause, for one A or B of the music.
Roly Poly
1-4 Everyone do a half-turn clockwise so that their backs are to the centre of the circle, Number one lowers the star to hold it in front of his chest. Do not do this move with more than six dancers, as the risk of the lock collapsing is too great.
Pass the star anti-clockwise, as follows.
1-2 hold the star in position with two hands at the bottom holding adjacent crossing points.
3-4 rotate the star a little. ie. ‘roll’ it anti-clockwise to the next dancer, who will grip it in their two hands.
Repeat for an A and a B (or vice versa)
Rose
Number 1 lifts up the lock for every one to see, leads the dancers round in a final circle and then off into the audience.