He Built a Crooked House

No. 5 in A Yankee Sampler, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Boston Branch, 1976.

(Bars 1-8)
1st couple set, cast off to 2nd place (2nd couple step up),
and dance a half Figure of Eight around 3rd couple.
(Bars 9-16)
3rd couple set, cast up to 2nd place (1st couple step down),
and dance a half Figure of Eight around 2nd couple.

At this point, the 2nd couple is in first place on their own side of the dance,
followed by 3rd and 1st couples, who are on the opposite side.
The progression of the 1st couple to the bottom of the set has already been accomplished,
and the cross-over reels in bars 25 - 32 will return the 3rd and 1st couples to their own sides.

(Bars 17-24)
2nd couple lead down the centre, cross below the 3rd couple (who are in 2nd place),
cast down behind the 1st couple to the bottom of the dance;
lead up the centre, cross below the 3rd couple, cast up behind them to place.
(Bars 25-32)
Cross-over Reels on the sides of the dance;
all three couples cross when they reach the top of the set,
and the 2nd couple crosses at the bottom as well.
The 2nd couple is actually repeating the pattern of the previous eight bars,
but with the other dancers in motion.

Suggested music: College Hornpipe recorded by Peter White.

(By Benjamin Kuipers, with thanks to Yuval Peduel and Marianne Taylor.)

This dance has been performed in public by the Boston Branch Demonstration Team.
It is great fun to dance, especially the transition between Bar 32 and Bar 1 of the next repetition.

BJK