Historic Ring Dances
[This is an article I wrote for the 2010 edition of Wrestling with the Angel, the annual publication of the Soirée Society of the Arts.]
Father in Heaven, some people wonder why we should open a square dance with a prayer. But that doesn’t surprise you, does it? A long time ago, King David danced before you on the mountain tops, and Jesus told of the children dancing through the streets of Jerusalem.
Perhaps, Lord, you even danced now and then yourself.... When you have made a new star or painted a perfect sunset, when a brand new baby takes his first breath, or an old person comes home to You at last.
Thank you, Lord, for hands and feet and music. Thank you for laughter and friends, for swirling skirts and scuffling feet.
Come dance with us, Lord. Help us unwind. Teach us to rejoice in everything that is good. Help us love each one whose hand we touch tonight.
Come dance with us, Lord—among us and with us.
I am deeply impressed by the simplicity of faith and joy evident in this Appalachian prayer. As often as they could, the Appalachians gathered together, men and women and children, to square dance. Reading the essay on square dancing in Foxfire 12, one learns that it was for them not only a pastime, a cultural art, or socializing; it was the worship of Jehovah.
“Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of the saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.” Psalm 148:1-5.
Imagine finding so much joy in the worship of God that you cannot stand still or keep quiet! I believe that there will be much dancing in heaven; and, thankfully, I will be much more graceful then.
This article features the ring dances preferred by Wendell Berry as beautiful and joyous expressions of community. I know that at the First Annual Costume Ball hosted by the Soirée Society of the Arts, we certainly experienced a precious sense of festivity and fellowship as we reeled, swung, whirled, and hopped together.
Incidentally, dance is wonderful exercise. (My family’s favorite cardiovascular exercise is the polka.) In our labor-saving, isolationist culture, exercise has become monotonous, unproductive, and often solitary labor. Folk-dancing presents a delightful opportunity to healthfully develop strength, endurance, and grace while challenging the mind, resting and enlivening the spirit, and interacting with other people. How can the exercise machine even begin to compare? Would you rather lift weights, or swing your partner around in the Cumberland Basket Reel? Would you rather jog in place, or chassay home?
I invite you to learn more in the next pages about six ring dances from three countries: the United States, England, and Denmark. These are simple dances that I encourage you to try with your family and friends. How wonderful it would be to see a renaissance of folk-dancing in homes! Do not worry if you have been told that you have poor rhythm. Rhythm and grace will both develop in you as you learn to move to the music.
You can quickly locate and purchase music at iTunes for almost any folk dance; and YouTube, Hugo’s International Folk Dance, and other internet sites and catalogues have videos posted in which professional and amateur dancers demonstrate the steps at competitions, weddings, costume balls, reenactments, and ceilidhs.
This is real dancing, not the shuffling and gyration we see in too much of modern dance. There is great pleasure to be taken in the beautiful patterns that are traced on the dance floor: circles, stars, weavings. Rather than stifling the dancers, this structure allows for great beauty and even an exciting measure of spontaneous self-expression. Don’t be afraid to laugh, whoop, and add your own creative spins and turns.
Have fun dancing!
The dances featured in this article were—
Photographs: I (in the pink dress) direct the Circle Waltz at the 2010 Costume Ball hosted by the Soirée Society of the Arts. The state of the porch ceiling, by the way, is testament to the fact that you can bless others with wonderful hospitality even in an imperfect house.
Photographs and text © 2011.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011