S E T    F O R M A T I O N    MEATH  HALF  SET
             © 2008   Larry E. Taylor

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    This set is from County Meath, Ireland.
    First couple traditionally begin the dance with backs to the music.
    Gents dance forward on the left foot and ladies begin forward on the right foot.
    Bar counts (quantities of measures) for patterns are shown in bold.
    The total bar count for each Figure includes an eight-bar introduction of music.
    Abbreviations are used in a version recorded below.
    Edition of December 25, 2008 Contact larryetaylor@hotmail.com 
 
    FIGURE 1 -- POLKAS (72 BARS)
Dance an ordinary polka step -- down 2-3.
HOUSELADIES CHAINPINWHEELSWING
Both couples: R E P E A T     " M A R K E R " house around each other in waltz hold8;
ladies chain:
          ladies give right hands in the center at waist-height then dance on to the
          opposite gent (who has danced into his partner's position); couples give
          left hands at waist-height and dance a half-turn around (no arch);
          the ladies dance to-place at home without again chaining in the center8;
pinwheel anticlockwise in the center with the left hands3; change hands and
          direction1; pinwheel with the right hands clockwise to home4;
swing in waltz hold8;
repeat from   R E P E A T     " M A R K E R "    32.
    FIGURE 2 -- POLKAS (88 BARS)
Dance an ordinary polka step -- down 2-3.
HOUSELADIES CHAINOPPOSITES SWINGLITTLE CHRISTMAS
Both couples: house around each other in waltz hold8;
R E P E A T     " M A R K E R " ladies chain as in Figure One8;
first gent and second lady swing in the center in waltz hold6; reverse to-place2;
pinwheel as in Figure One (left hands then right hands)8;
little Christmas8;
repeat from   R E P E A T     " M A R K E R "    32;
original partners swing in waltz hold at home8.
    FIGURE 3 -- POLKAS (72 BARS)
Dance an ordinary polka step -- down 2-3.
Both couples: R E P E A T     " M A R K E R " house around each other in waltz hold8;
ADVANCE AND RETIREPASS THROUGHSWING
advance and retire once holding right hands in-front4;
pass through, still holding right hands :
          first couple form an arch and second couple dances under2;
          while dancing to-place at opposite, gents dance on the outside and
          couples form an arch; the lady dances anticlockwise under the arch2;
repeat the preceding advance and retire and pass through except second
          couple form the arch8;
swing in waltz hold at home8;
repeat from   R E P E A T     " M A R K E R "    32.
    FIGURE 4 -- POLKAS (152 BARS)
Dance an ordinary polka step -- down 2-3.
Both couples: R E P E A T     " M A R K E R " house around each other in waltz hold8;
ADVANCE AND RETIRESWINGHOUSE INSIDEWHEELBARROW
advance and retire twice in waltz hold8;
swing in waltz hold8;
first couple house inside/across and leave the lady at second gent’s left;
          second gent takes ladies’ outside hands, first gent takes ladies’
          inside hands underneath others’ hands8;
wheelbarrow:  the trio plus the solo gent advance and retire twice; on bar six,
          the ladies turn to stand beside the other man (no arches)8;
          new trio and solo gent advance and retire twice; on bar six,
          form a circle-of-four8;
LITTLE CHRISTMASCHAINSWING
little Christmas8;
ladies chain as in Figure One8;
swing in waltz hold8;
repeat from   R E P E A T     " M A R K E R "    with second couple leading at the house inside72.
    FIGURE 5 -- POLKAS (88 BARS)
Dance an ordinary polka step -- down 2-3.
Both couples: R E P E A T     " M A R K E R " house around each other in waltz hold8;
ADVANCE AND RETIREHOUSE HALF-WAYREPEAT
advance and retire once in waltz hold4;
house half-way around to opposite in waltz hold4;
advance and retire once in waltz hold4;
house half-way around to home in waltz hold4;
LADIES:   RIGHT ARM HOOK AROUNDSWING OPPOSITE GENT
ladies hook right arms in the center, dance a full turn, dance to the opposite gent8;
new partners swing in waltz hold8;
repeat from   R E P E A T     " M A R K E R "  40.

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MEATH HALF SET                             
F1  POLKAS 72 bars
R E P E A T     " M A R K E R " HSE EA OTH8             L CHN8
PW L4 / R4                       SWGW8
RPT FR   R E P E A T     " M A R K E R "   32
F2  POLKAS 88 bars
HSE EA OTH8
R E P E A T     " M A R K E R " L CHN8
1G / 2L SWGW6 CTR      REV TO-PL2
PW L4 / R4                      L-XMAS8
RPT FR  R E P E A T     " M A R K E R "  EXC 2G / 1L SWG CTR   32
SWGW8
F3  POLKAS 72 bars
R E P E A T     " M A R K E R " HSE EA OTH8
A&RRnR4  P-THR2 1T ARCH ALLTLU ACW ToPL2
A&RRnR4  P-THR2 2T ARCH ALLTLU ACW ToPL2
SWGW8
RPT FR   R E P E A T     " M A R K E R "   32
F4  POLKAS 152 bars
R E P E A T     " M A R K E R " HSE EA OTH8          A&RW8
SWGW8
FIRST PR HI AND LV L BESIDE 2G8
A&R AND Ls TRN BESIDE OTH G (NO ARCH)8
A&R AND TURN TO CK-OF-FOUR (NO ARCH)8
L-XMAS8               L CHN8                SWGW8
RPT FR R E P E A T     " M A R K E R " SECOND PR LEADING72
F5  POLKAS 88 bars
R E P E A T     " M A R K E R " HSE EA OTH8
A&RW4    HSE TO OPP4   A&RW4    HSE TO HO4
Ls R ARM 360 CTR AND END AT OPP8
SWGW8 NEW PART
RPT FR  R E P E A T     " M A R K E R "   UNTIL ORIG  PARTs SWG40

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