MEATH  HALF  SET
	© 2008   Larry E. Taylor
	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.
	HOUSE—LADIES CHAIN—PINWHEEL—SWING
Both couples:	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       32.

FIGURE 2 -- POLKAS (88 BARS)

	Dance an ordinary polka step -- down 2-3.
	HOUSE—LADIES CHAIN—OPPOSITES SWING—LITTLE CHRISTMAS
Both couples:	house around each other in waltz hold8;
	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       32;
	original partners swing in waltz hold at home8.

FIGURE 3 -- POLKAS (72 BARS)

	Dance an ordinary polka step -- down 2-3.
Both couples:	house around each other in waltz hold8;
	ADVANCE AND RETIRE—PASS THROUGH—SWING
	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       32.

FIGURE 4 -- POLKAS (152 BARS)

	Dance an ordinary polka step -- down 2-3.
Both couples:	house around each other in waltz hold8;
	ADVANCE AND RETIRE—SWING—HOUSE INSIDE—WHEELBARROW
	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 CHRISTMAS—CHAIN—SWING
	little Christmas8;
	ladies chain as in Figure One8;
	swing in waltz hold8;
	repeat from       with second couple leading at the house inside72.

FIGURE 5 -- POLKAS (88 BARS)

	Dance an ordinary polka step -- down 2-3.
Both couples:	house around each other in waltz hold8;
	ADVANCE AND RETIRE—HOUSE HALF-WAY—REPEAT
	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 AROUND—SWING 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     40.

                             .. 

MEATH HALF SET

F1  POLKAS 72 bars

HSE EA OTH8             L CHN8

PW L4 / R4                       SWGW8

RPT FR      32

F2  POLKAS 88 bars

HSE EA OTH8

L CHN8

1G / 2L SWGW6 CTR      REV TO-PL2

PW L4 / R4                      L-XMAS8

RPT FR    EXC 2G / 1L SWG CTR   32

SWGW8

F3  POLKAS 72 bars

HSE EA OTH8

A&RRnR4  P-THR2 1T ARCH ALLTLU ACW ToPL2

A&RRnR4  P-THR2 2T ARCH ALLTLU ACW ToPL2

SWGW8

RPT FR      32

F4  POLKAS 152 bars

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 SECOND PR LEADING72

F5  POLKAS 88 bars

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    UNTIL ORIG  PARTs SWG40

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