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Record: LS 161 (parts 1, 2, 3)/ 162 (parts 4, 5)
This is the most popular quadrille in the history of American
square dancing. During the 2nd half of the 19th century, every dance
program included at least one lancers, of which the "Standard" was
probably the most popular. The dance is to be prompted (calls
given just prior to the dance phrase) rather than called.
Figure 1
Counts
16 ADDRESS PARTNERS (8), ADDRESS CORNERS (8)
Partners take three short steps away from each other, make
a little bow on the 4th step, recover on the 5th, and take three
shorts back together again. Repeat with corners. Give the
cue before the music starts, there is no introduction.
8 HEAD FOUR FORWARD AND BACK
Head couples move toward the opposite couple four steps
and back to place four steps.
8 AND TURN THE OPPOSITE
With a two-hand hold at shoulder height, head four turn the
opposite person once around and go back to place.
8 HEAD COUPLE PROMENADE BETWEEN THE
OPPOSITE
8 AND RETURN ON THE OUTSIDE
First couple in promenade position divide the opposite
couple, each couple moving forward and turning into
opposite position. Return in reverse.
8 ALL BALANCE CORNERS
All balance four steps forward and four steps backward
with corners.
8 AND TURN PARTNERS
All make a two-hand complete turn with partner and turn
into place.
48 Repeat the above for the side couples. Do not repeat the 16
count introduction (Address Partners, Address Corners).
Figure 2
Counts
16 WAIT. Just wait! See how convincingly you can do it.
Smile at your corner; chat with your partner.
8 HEAD FOUR FORWARD AND BACK
8 TURN LADIES TO CENTER, FACE PARTNERS
Head couples join hands with partners, walk four steps to
center of set. Ladies turn to face their partners in four
counts while men step back to place in four counts.
8 CHASSEZ RIGHT AND LEFT
Partners facing each other (active couples) each individual
slides four steps to the R and four to the L.
8 TURN PARTNERS TO PLACE
Head gentlemen step fwd, give both hands to partner and
turn her back to place.
8 SIDE FOUR SEPARATE TO HEAD AND FORWARD
AND BACK
Sides divide instantly and join heads in lines of four.
Forward four steps and back four steps.
8 FORWARD AGAIN AND TURN PARTNERS TO
PLACES.
48 Repeat the above for the side couples. Do not repeat the
introductory wait.
Figure 3
Counts
16 WAIT
8 HEAD FOUR FORWARD AND BACK
8 FORWARD AGAIN AND ADDRESS
Head couples step fwd to each other, make a little duck on
the 4th count and back up to place.
16 HEAD LADIES CHAIN
Full chain across, courtesy turn, cross back and turn into
place.
32 Repeat the above for the sides. Do not repeat the wait.
8 ALL JOIN HANDS, FORWARD AND BACK
8 FORWARD AGAIN AND ADDRESS
All make a little duck.
16 FOUR LADIES GRAND CHAIN
Full around. Right hand star across, courtesy turn with
opposite man, chain back, turn into place.
Figure 4
Counts
16 WAIT
8 HEAD COUPLES LEAD TO THE RIGHT and
ADDRESS
The music will tell you just what to do. Take short steps to
the couples on the right. When the long-held chord comes
in the music, the ladies make a slow, deep bow. Tuck one
foot behind the other and go down as far as you can. There
is a little "plink" in the music that tells you to get up again.
The gentlemen bow from the hips in a courtly fashion,
hands hanging at sides. Use your skirts, girls.
8 HEAD COUPLES LEAD AROUND TO THE LEFT and
ADDRESS
8 HEAD COUPLES RETURN TO PLACE, and ADDRESS
PARTNERS
This address is much shorter. Be ready to step right into the
next change or figure.
8 HEAD COUPLES RIGHT AND LEFT THROUGH
8 AND RIGHT AND LEFT BACK
40 Repeat the above with side couples leading out to the left.
Do not repeat the wait.
Figure 5
Counts
Before the music starts, call "ADDRESS PARTNERS." On the
long chord ladies make another deep, slow curtsey, as in part 4.
After this the first change is called and the music begins.
32 GRAND RIGHT AND LEFT
A regular grand right and left (beginning with partner's R
hand and progressing in that direction fully around the
circle , alternating hands as you go) but go full around.
Pause and bow slightly to your partner as you meet her in
the opposite position. Then meet her at your home position.
8 FIRST COUPLES PROMENADE THE INSIDE AND
FACE OUT
First couple promenade in a small CCW circle in regular
promenade pos. Come back to home place facing out.
8 AND THE SIDES FALL IN
The third couple is already in line and facing in the right
direction. Couple 2 falls in behind couple 1, and couple 4
behind 2, each taking four counts for the maneuver.
16 CHASSEZ
Ladies slide to the L 8 counts, passing in front of their
partners, while men slide to the R, then all back to place in
8 counts.
16 MARCH
Ladies to the R and men to the L. Both lines turn out and
march to the foot of the set in 8 counts, cross each other
and back into line in 8 counts. The ladies are now on the L
and the men on the R.
8 ALL FORWARD AND BACK
The two lines facing each other.
8 ALL FORWARD AND TURN PARTNERS
Lines move fwd 4 counts, then turn partners to places with
a two-hand turn.
32 GRAND SQUARE (see instructions below)
8 SECOND COUPLE PROMENADE AND FACE OUT
8 AND THE HEADS FALL IN (3 behind 2, 1 behind 3)
16 CHASSEZ (as above)
16 MARCH (as above)
8 ALL FORWARD AND BACK
8 ALL FORWARD AND TURN PARTNERS
32 GRAND SQUARE (see instructions below)
8 THIRD COUPLE PROMENADE AND FACE OUT
8 AND THE SIDES FALL IN
16 CHASSEZ
16 MARCH
8 ALL FORWARD AND BACK
8 ALL FORWARD AND TURN PARTNERS
32 GRAND SQUARE
8 FOURTH COUPLE PROMENADE AND FACE OUT
8 AND THE HEADS FALL IN
16 CHASSEZ
16 MARCH
8 ALL FORWARD AND BACK
8 ALL FORWARD AND TURN PARTNERS
8 ALL JOIN HANDS AND FORWARD AND BACK
8 ALL FORWARD AGAIN AND ADDRESS
Step in twd the center of the set, turn to partner and make a
little bow, step back into place and...
16 ALL PROMENADE TO SEATS
The music on the record has been cut as follows: Originally figures
1, 2, and 4, were danced through twice (twice for heads and twice
for sides). Repeat these bands of music if you want to do this. In
figure 5, we have omitted the music for the fourth couple's part,
even though it is in the cues. If you want to have the 4th couple
dance this part, play the music from the beginning of the band
(again) as soon as you have finished ALL FORWARD AND
TURN PARTNERS at the end of the third couples' turn.
THE GRAND SQUARE:
Stand in regular sets as in square dancing.
A. Heads go into the center (4 counts). Turn 1/4, take hands with
the opposite and back out to the side pos (4 counts). Turn 1/4, face
the opposite and back up to the corner of the set (4 counts). Turn
1/4 and walk fwd to the original pos, facing partner (4 counts).
B. Face partner, back up (away from partner) to corner of the
square (4 counts). Turn 1/4 and move fwd on the outside of the
square to meet opposite (4 counts). Turn 1/4 and move fwd with
opposite to the center of the set (4 counts). Turn 1/4 and back up
with partner to place (4 counts).
While the head couples are doing A. the side couples are doing B.
While the head couples do B., the side couples do A.
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