David Millstone writes:

Interestingly enough, Old Dan Tucker merits a chapter all its own in Frank
Smith's _The Appalachian Square Dance_" (My copy says published by Berea
COllege in 1955.) Other chapters treat origins, social change and dance
traditions, how to call, basic steps, and then there are major chapters for
large circle figures, small circle figures, the Kentucky Running Set, and then
ODT himself.

Here's that information in detail, below. Thanks once more to the members of
this list for sharing their collective experiences. I'm eager to try out this
one, Monkey in the Middle, and even maybe Stocaire at some upcoming dances. 

And yes, following the example set by Ted Sannella and Tony Parkes, I usually
put a mixer as the third dance in my programs. Don't like to do it right at the
start because the crowd hasn't fully assembled yet. LIke to do it relatively
soon because it's a way for folks to acknowledge others who are here and it
sets a welcomingtone. Mixers with swings in them are a way for the newcomers to
be gracefully separated from their newcomer partner and to experience swings
with other people, many of who might become a prospective partner later in the
evening, and they give experienced dancers an opportunity to discover who here
tonight is really new and might enjoy being asked to dance. It's a way of
reminding folks that we're to dance with each other, not just with a special
someone. It's also a way for less confident dancers (for example, young teenage
girls who aren't comfortable dancing with older men) to experience that,
briefly, and, one hopes, to discover that it's okay, before going back to their
buddies as partners for other dances in the evening.Occasionally I'll throw in
a second mixer later in the program, too, but that's much less common. 

Could be a big circle mixer, a couple scatter mixer, a three person mixer, Ted's
Solo Mixer, a longways mixer of the English ceilidh variety, or a dance for an
unusual number of uncoupled dancers such as Hot Tub Rag or Heptathlon Jig.  

David Millstone
Lebanon, NH

----
Old Dan Tucker

One of the author's early experiences of mountain square dancing was at
Homeplace, Ary, Kentucky. Miss Lula M. Hale, the director, firmly believes in
the preservation and social use of mountain folklore-dances, songs, crafts.
Mrs. Marion Skeen, while Director of Recreation and Extension Librarian at
Homeplace, made a fine collection of playground games, singing games, and dance
figures, which was published by The E. 0. Robinson Mountain Foundation under
the title, Circle Left. The interesting version of Old Dan Tucker which follows
is reproduced, with permission, from Circle Left.

Old Tucker
1.	All hands up and circle left;
	All the way 'round-
2.	Half way 'n back.
3.	Dance, Tucker, dance.
4.	Swing your partner once on a corner.
5. 	All hands up and circle left;
	All the way around,
6.	Half way 'n back.
7.	Come on, Tucker, give us one!
8.	Swing your partner once on a corner;
9.	Left hand ladv don't you slight.
10. 	All hands up and circle right;
	All the way 'round--
11. 	Half way 'n back.
12. 	Rights and lefts is what we're after;
	Change them hands and get a little faster.
	Make them big feet go whickety-whack.
13. 	Dance, Old Tucker, while you're young;
	When you get old, you can't dance none.
14. 	Wash them dishes, wipe them dry;
	Your true-love is passing by.
15. 	Ladies to the center and the gents know how.
	All the way 'round--
16. 	Half way 'n back.
17. 	Gents choose a partner and it's who's left for Tucker.

One man calls out these words in a rhythmic chant pausing slightly between each
line. Dancers are in couples in a single circle moving around an odd man, "Old
Tucker," who may be called upon to dance at any time. Dancers move with easy
running steps.

Directions:
(1) Circle left.
(2) Circle right.
(3) Tucker dances a "hoe down" while the rest keep circling right.
(4) Swing your partner.
(5) Circle left.
(6) Circle right.
(7) Tucker dances. (As before)
(8) Swing your partner.
(9) Swing your opposite.
(10)	Circle right.
(11)	Circle left.
(12)	Grand right and left.
(13)	Tucker dances while the rest continue the grand right and left.
(14)	Continue grand right and left back to partner.
(15)	Ladies go to center of circle and stand, pushing Old Tucker Out.
	He joins men in circle moving, counter clockwise single file.
(16)	Men turn and dance in clockwise circle single file.
(17)	Each man chooses a partner out of the center and immediately starts
promenading (counter clock-wise) with her. Man left without a partner becomes
the new "Tucker."

Repeat as many times as desired, alternating "ladies" and "gents" to the center.

This may be danced without music, letting the calling, foot-patting and clapping
provide the rhythm, or it may be danced to any lively old fiddle tune.