Fain I Would if I Could
A dance for 8, arranged in a square
This dance is distinguished by the Switches halfway through and and the end of each figure. All switches are 2-handed CW exchanges.
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Turn your back on the set, take hands with partner, out a double, turn in as you face each other and continue to face in (easy turn), in a double.
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Switch with neighbor. Switch across the line of dance, flow into square formation.
Start:
| 2 | 1 | ||
| 5 | 8 | ||
| 6 | 7 | ||
| 3 | 4 |
After first switch:
| 5 | 8 | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||
| 3 | 4 | ||
| 6 | 7 |
After second switch:
| 8 | 5 |
| 1 | 2 |
| 4 | 3 |
| 7 | 6 |
You are with your second partner after the second switch. Out a double, easy turn, in a double. Switch with neighbor and switch across the line of dance to end at home, flowing into square formation.
Second half start:
| 8 | 5 | ||
| 1 | 2 | ||
| 4 | 3 | ||
| 7 | 6 |
After first switch:
| 1 | 2 | ||
| 8 | 5 | ||
| 7 | 6 | ||
| 4 | 3 |
After second switch:
| 2 | 1 |
| 5 | 8 |
| 6 | 7 |
| 3 | 4 |
Tops and Bottoms (#1, 2, 3, 4) take hands, in a double, pick up sides, all back a double in lines.
| 5 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
Turn by 2 hands with second partner. 2 1
Reform square:
| 5 | 8 | ||
| 2 | 1 | ||
| 3 | 4 | ||
| 6 | 7 |
Sides (#5, 6, 7, 8) take hands, in a double, pick up Tops and Bottoms, all back a double in lines.
| 2 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| 3 | 6 | 7 | 4 |
Turn by 2 hands with first (original) partner.
Reform original square set when you get home.
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Side partner. First set of switches. Side second partner. Second set of switches.
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Tops and Bottoms are chased out the top and bottom of the set by their neighbors, casting all the way around to back into place. Take hands and walk CW all the way around the 4-person ring.
| 2 | 1 |
| 5 | 8 |
| 6 | 7 |
| 3 | 4 |
Sides are chased out their side of the set by their neighbors, casting all the way around to back into place. Take hands and walk CW all the way around the 4-person ring.
| 5 | 2 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 1 | 8 |
| 4 | 7 |
Arm R partner. First set of switches. Arm L second partner. Second set of switches.
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Tops and Bottoms slow backhand ring CW in center 1-½ times to end at corner’s position WHILE Sides skip CCW 1-½ times around to end at corner’s position.
Exchange places with your neighbor by L shoulders.
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Sides slow backhand ring CW in center 1-½ times to home WHILE Tops and Bottoms skip CCW 1-½ times around to home. Allow time for everyone to get home before breaking center backhand ring. Honor all.