Upton Upon Severn Stick Dance

A traditional Morris dance with a Widders twist.

Guide and figures – how to dance Upton

Dance for 6, two lines of 3 facing each other.

Upton on severn set layout

Rounds 16 beats
– 8 steps circle around to the left

Upon returning to starting place, form back into set via an on the spot circle:
– 6 steps around to the right
– 2 steps in place

Sticking 16 beats
on the beat:
– 1 top
– 2 bottom
– 3 top
– 4 bottom
– 5 top
– 6 bottom
– 7 top
– 8 top

8 beats little circle as above

Back to back right 16 beats
– 2 steps forward
– 2 steps across
– 4 steps back
– 6 steps circle in place
– 2 steps in place

Sticking 16 beats

Tree top right

First 2 beats:
– Positions 2 and 5 take two small steps back
– Positions 3 and 4 step to their own right, crossing where 2 and 5 used to be
– Positions 1 and 6 take 2 steps in place

Remaining 14 beats:
– Continue figure 8 hey, 2 crosses behind 1, 5 crosses behind 6. 1 follows 2, 6 follows 5
– Movement speed should be such that all dancers return to the original set on beat 16

border morris tree top hey right

Sticking 16 beats

All hey
Hey on the sides – 2 figure 8 heys.

1, 2, 3 and 4 turn towards 5 and 6.
5 and 6 turn towards 3 and 4.

2 steps 3,5 and 4,6 cross, 1 and 2 stay on spot
Continue hey.

Sing
Well there ain’t no hairs on my back stairs and there ain’t no hairs on tiny,
But I know where there are some hairs, on the girl I left behind me.

Sticking 16 beats

Tree top left

As above but mirrored left to right.

First 2 beats:
– Positions 1 and 6 take two small steps back
– Positions 3 and 4 step to there own left, crossing where 1 and 6 used to be
– Positions 2 and 5 take 2 steps in place

Remaining 14 beats:
– Continue figure 8 hey, 1 crosses behind 2, 6 crosses behind 5. 2 follows 1, 5 follows 6
– Movement speed should be such that all dancers return to the original set on beat 16

border morris tree top hey left

Sticking 16 beats

Back to back left 16 beats

Rounds 16 beats

Sticking 16 beats -> ending
As above but on final 2 beats hit the floor behind then clash overhead with person opposite and hold.