THE BEGGAR BOY

Source: Playford (1651), TPB, CDB-2
Barnes
3-couple longways  Key: Gm  Meter: 6/8


USA dance

Verse: (1) up a double and back; repeat
       (2) Side R, then L
       (3) Arm R, then L

Hint: Middles are active, pretty much.

First Chorus:
 9-10  Partners face; ends fall back while middles meet (small steps)
       2007 Playford Ball: Ends turn backs on partner, lead out ...
11-12  All fall back to place (middle person a little extra to form a circle)
13-16  Circles of three on the sides all the way.
17-24  Repeat 9-16.


Second chorus:

 9-12  MIDDLES fall back and come forward WHILE
       ENDS change places up and down, passing right shoulder.
       [2007 Playford Ball: 1s split 3s both times]

13-16  1s (at the bottom) set and turns single WHILE 
       others circle four hands once round.
17-24  Repeat 9-16 (1s set at the top), all ending in their original places.


Third chorus:

 9-12  Partners fall back and come forward.
13-16  Ends face in, middles face up; half-hey starting right shoulder.
17-24  Repeat 9-16 (middles face down, start left shoulder)
       all ending in their original places.


NOTE: Per Graham Christian, there was a theatrical production pre-1650 of
this name, with a little masque afterwards; this may have been that.   Note
that the tempo is distinctly slow and dignified, not marchy.