Discovering English Folk Dance (Shire Discovering)

There are not many countries where the traditional dances, songs and music of the past have become so successfully integrated into modern everyday life as they have in England. This book tells the uninitiated where they may see folk dancing in England and how they may join in if they wish.The history and evolution of the dances that have survived and their regional variations are described, and an attempt is made to explain the origins and meanings, for example the handkerchiefs and bells in the morris dance and the lock of swords in the sword dance, and what difference there may be between English and Scottish country dancing. The book also covers such well-known folk-dance celebrations as the Padstow and Minehead hobby horse dances and the Helston Furry Dance.… (more)