Dances in The English Dancing Master (John Playford, 1651, London)

An online copy of the original may be found here.

Table of Contents

A

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Adson's Saraband Adson's Saraband ~ Playford Ball John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball Brett Larsen 3 Couple Longways Adson's Saraband ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Brett Larsen 3 Couple Longways
All in a Garden Green All in a Garden Green ~ Modern John Playford 1651 Scott Pfitzinger ~2019 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways permutation: 231 All in a Garden Green ~ Playford John Playford 1651 Scott Pfitzinger ~2019 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways
Argeers Argeers ~ Playford Ball John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball Bare Necessities Facing Couples Argeers ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Bare Necessities Facing Couples
Argeres		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Ay Me ~ Playford Ball		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
Aye Me Aye Me ~ Callens John Playford 1651 Philippe Callens ~2018 Playford Ball Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways Aye Me ~ Playford Ball John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways Aye Me ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways

B

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Beggar Boy		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
The Boatman The Boatman ~ Pat Shaw John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1966 A Playford Ball Bare Necessities 3 Couple Longways The Boatman ~ Playford Ball John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball A Playford Ball Bare Necessities 3 Couple Longways The Boatman ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 A Playford Ball Bare Necessities 3 Couple Longways
Bobbin Jone		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Colin Hume 2013	Colin Hume	Duple Minor
Bobbing Joe ~ Hume		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Colin Hume 2013	Colin Hume	Duple Minor
Broom, The Bonny, Bonny Broom Broom, The Bonny, Bonny Broom ~ Pat Shaw John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1972 Bare Necessities 4 Couple Longways Broom, The Bonny, Bonny Broom ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball Bare Necessities 4 Couple Longways

C

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Chestnut		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
Confesse, his Tune Confesse, his Tune ~ Cecil Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Colin Hume Custom3 Confesse, his Tune ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume Custom3 Confesse, his Tune ~ Palmer John Playford 1651 William Palmer 1987 Playford Ball Colin Hume Custom3 Confesse, his Tune ~ Pat Shaw John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1960 Colin Hume Custom3
The Court Lady The Court Lady ~ Cecil Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Colin Hume Custom3 The Court Lady ~ Palmer John Playford 1651 William Palmer 1987 Playford Ball Colin Hume Custom3 The Court Lady ~ Pat Shaw John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1960 Colin Hume Custom3
Cuckles all a Row		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 George Williams 2022	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Cuckolds all a Row Cuckolds all a Row ~ Barraclough Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Michael Barraclough ~2017 A Playford Ball Bare Necessities Facing Couples Cuckolds all a Row ~ Lovelace Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 George Williams 2022 A Playford Ball Bare Necessities Facing Couples Cuckolds all a Row ~ Sharp Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball A Playford Ball Bare Necessities Facing Couples
Cuckolds all Awry Cuckolds all Awry ~ Barraclough Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Michael Barraclough ~2017 A Playford Ball Bare Necessities Facing Couples Cuckolds all Awry ~ Sharp Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball A Playford Ball Bare Necessities Facing Couples

D

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Dargason		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Custom
Dove's Figary		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	3 Couple Longways
Drive the Cold Winter Away Drive the Cold Winter Away ~ Bolton John Playford 1651 Charles Bolton 2003 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways permutation: 231 Drive the Cold Winter Away ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1922 Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways

E

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Castle ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2023 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways Edinburgh Castle ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball Bare Necessities 3 Couple Longways

F

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Fain I Would Fain I Would ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume Bare Necessities Square Fain I Would ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball Bare Necessities Square
The Friar and the Nun		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Colin Hume	Duple Minor
The Fryar and the Nun		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912	Colin Hume	Duple Minor

G

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Gathering Peascods		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Colin Hume	Circle as many as will
Goddesses		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Assembly	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
Grimstock Grimstock ~ Davies John Playford 1651 Rhodri Davies 2020 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways Grimstock ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2020 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways Grimstock ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways

H

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Halfe Hannikin Halfe Hannikin ~ Cook John Playford 1651 Tom Cook Playford Assembly Colin Hume Circle as many as will Halfe Hannikin ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Assembly Colin Hume Circle as many as will
Harts Ease		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
The Health The Health ~ Pat Shaw John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1964 Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways The Health ~ Sharp#1 John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways The Health ~ Sharp#2 John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways
Heart's Ease		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Heartsease		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Hey, Boys, up Go We (Sharp)		Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	A Playford Ball Bare Necessities	Facing Couples
Hide Parke		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Square
Hit and Misse Hit and Misse ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2023 Colin Hume Facing Couples Hit and Misse ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball Bare Necessities Facing Couples
Hit or Miss Hit or Miss John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball Bare Necessities Facing Couples Hit or Miss John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2023 Colin Hume Facing Couples
Hyde Park		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Square

I

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
If all the World were Paper If all the World were Paper ~ P. Shaw John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1964 Playford Assembly Colin Hume Square If all the World were Paper ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Assembly Colin Hume Square

J

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Jack Pudding Jack Pudding ~ Lovelace Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 George Williams 2021 Colin Hume Custom permutation: 231 Jack Pudding ~ Playford Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Colin Hume 1998 Playford Assembly Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
Jenny Pluck Pears		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	3 Couple Circle

K

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Kettle Drum		John Playford 1651 Scott Pfitzinger ~2019	MGM and Reunion	Square

L

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Labour in Vain Labour in Vain John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball Bare Necessities 3 Couple Longways Labour in Vain ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 1995 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways Labour in Vain ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Bare Necessities 3 Couple Longways
Lull Me Beyond Thee		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	4 Couple Longways

M

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Mage on a Cree Mage on a Cree ~ Pat Shaw John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1961 Colin Hume Square Mage on a Cree ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball Colin Hume Square
Maiden Lane		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp (mod) 1912 Playford Assembly	Colin Hume	3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
Marriners		John Playford 1651 George Williams 2024	Strong Roots Bare Necessities	Circle as many as will
The Merry Andrew The Merry Andrew ~ Lovelace Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 George Williams 2021 Colin Hume Custom permutation: 231 The Merry Andrew ~ Playford Lovelace Manuscript ~1649 Colin Hume 1998 Playford Assembly Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
The Merry Frolic ~ Pat Shaw		John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1964	Colin Hume	4 Couple Longways
The Merry Wassail The Merry Wassail ~ Pat Shaw John Playford 1651 Pat Shaw 1964 Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways The Merry Wassail ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways The Merry Wassail ~ Sharp#1 John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways
The Merry, Merry Milkmaids		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball	At Home Bare Necessities	4 Couple Longways
Millison's Jigg Millison's Jigg ~ Bolton John Playford 1651 Charles Bolton 2000 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways Millison's Jigg ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2011 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways Millison's Jigg ~ Williams John Playford 1651 George Williams 2021 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways permutation: 231
Mundesse		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1922	MGM and Reunion	3 Couple Circle
My Lady Cullen		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911	Colin Hume	Duple Minor

N

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Newcastle Newcastle ~ Barraclough John Playford 1651 Michael Barraclough 2001 Colin Hume Square Newcastle ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2016 Colin Hume Square Newcastle ~ Revels John Playford 1651 Santa Barbara Revels 2024 Colin Hume Square Newcastle ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball Colin Hume Square
Newcastle United		John Playford 1651 Michael Barraclough 2001	Colin Hume	Square

O

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Old Mole The Old Mole ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2025 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways The Old Mole ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways

P

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Parson's Farewell Parson's Farewell ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2020 Bare Necessities Facing Couples Becket Parson's Farewell ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball Bare Necessities Facing Couples
Parthenia Parthenia ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume Bare Necessities Square Parthenia ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Playford Ball Bare Necessities Square
Petticoat Wag		John Playford 1651 Charles Bolton 1989	Bare Necessities	4 Couple Longways

R

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Row Well, Ye Mariners Row Well, Ye Mariners ~ Bolton John Playford 1651 Charles Bolton 1992 Playford Assembly Strong Roots Bare Necessities Circle as many as will Row Well, Ye Mariners ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Bare Necessities 7 Couple Longways Row Well, Ye Mariners ~ Williams John Playford 1651 George Williams 2024 Strong Roots Bare Necessities Circle as many as will
Rufty Tufty		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples

S

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Scotch Cap Scotch Cap ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 2023 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways Scotch Cap ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball Bare Necessities 3 Couple Longways
The Sedany		John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1911 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Custom
Shepherd's Holiday Shepherd's Holiday ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 1995 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways Shepherd's Holiday ~ Playford Ball John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball Bare Necessities 3 Couple Longways Shepherd's Holiday ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Bare Necessities 3 Couple Longways
Step Stately Step Stately John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways Step Stately ~ Hume John Playford 1651 Colin Hume 1995 Colin Hume 5 Couple Longways
The Symphony The Symphony John Playford 1651 Philippe Callens ~2018 Playford Ball Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways The Symphony John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1916 Playford Ball Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways The Symphony ~ Playford Ball John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball Colin Hume 4 Couple Longways

T

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Taylor's Daughter		John Playford 1651 Charles Bolton 1989	Bare Necessities	4 Couple Longways

U

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
Upon a Summer's Day Upon a Summer's Day ~ Playford Ball John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways Upon a Summer's Day ~ Sharp John Playford 1651 Cecil Sharp 1912 Colin Hume 3 Couple Longways

W

Dance Title	Type	Deviser (or Editor/Publisher), Date, Interpreter	Music Performers	Formation
The Wedding Night		John Playford 1651 John Playford 1994 Playford Ball	Bare Necessities	Facing Couples

This list contains all dances in the book which I have animated (and which first appeared in this edition of the Dancing Master) for a complete list of dances in the book see here.

This website is copyright © 2021-2026 by George W. Williams V
My work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Most of the dances have more restrictive licensing, see my notes on copyright, the individual dance pages should mention when some rights are waived.