The three hares symbol - an optical illusion where each hare in the circle appears to have two ears, when they only have three between them - is found in many places, particularly in countries along the old Silk Road between China and the UK. There are several in Dartmoor churches, associated with the tin miners. Hence Tinners' Rabbits.
This dance was originally written by Martin Gosling of Grimspound Morris, and has since been adopted by many sides throughout the country. This is our version, renamed Dorset Rabbits
Instructions
This is a dance for sets of three dancers in an inwards facing triangle.
| Figure | Music |
|---|---|
| Chorus | AB |
| Triangle | A |
| Chorus | AB |
| Left Hand Star | A |
| Chorus | AB |
| Snare | A |
| Chorus | AB |
| Lead Out and Finish | A |
Chorus (AB) |
|
|---|---|
| For each chorus one dancer will be defined as the active dancer. For the first chorus this will be dancer 1. For the second chorus it will be number 2, and for the third time number 3. The numbers go round clockwise | |
| Count | Moves |
| 1-4 | The active dancer goes around the person on their right, passing right shoulders The person being circled does a right hand turn while stepping on the spot, always facing the active dancer and maintaining eye contact. The one not being danced around remains stationary |
| 5-8 | The active dancer completes the figure of eight by going around the third dancer, passing left shoulders The person being circled does a left hand turn while stepping on the spot, always facing the active dancer. The one not being danced around remains stationary |
| 9-12 | The active dancer goes around the first person again, passing right shoulders. Again, the person being circled does a right hand turn while stepping on the spot, always facing the active dancer. The one not being danced around remains stationary |
| 13-14 | The active dancers returns to place and everyone steps on the spot |
| 15-16 | All dancers right hand turn on spot |
| 1-13 | The active dancer does a forehand clash with the person on the left That dancer then clashes forehand with the dancer on their left, who clashes with the dancer on their left. This continues round for thirteen clashes |
| 14 | Bring the stick to the right side ready to strike the ground |
| 15-16 | Strike the ground to the right three times in rapid succession |
Triangle (A) |
|
|---|---|
| Count | Moves |
| 1-4 | Move stick smoothly in an arc up from the ground strike, to rest horizontally with the tip resting by the hand of the dancer to the left. Dancers should hold the butt of their own stick and the tip of the stick stick coming from the right |
| 5-14 | Circle round, rotating the triangle clockwise |
| 15-16 | Release neighbour's stick. Return to place |
Chorus (AB)
Left Hand Star (A) |
|
|---|---|
| Count | Moves |
| 1-2 | With your left hand, clasp the wrist of the person in front |
| 3-14 | Left hand star. Hold the middle of the stick with right hand, keeping it vertical at arm's length |
| 15-16 | Release the star. Return to place |
Chorus (AB)
Snare (A) |
|
|---|---|
| Count | Moves |
| 1-4 | Each dancer points the tip of his stick towards the dancer to his right, and takes the tip of the stick coming from his left in his left hand. This results in a linked circle. Dancers 2 and 3 make an arch, then dancer 1 passes under the arch, and does a half right hand turn to end up facing inwards, raising his left arm over his head. 2 and 3 do a full turn in the direction 1 is pulling them in: they will need to lift first one arm over their heads and the other in order to complete the turn At the end of this move, all dancers will be facing inwards and their sticks will cross in the centre, making a wheel with six spokes |
| 5-12 | Circle left for eight beats. Bonus marks for keeping the sticks together in the centre |
| 13-16 | Unravel. 2 and 3 turn in the opposite direction they did to get into the snare, and raise the stick joining them together. They will need to raise first one arm and then the other over their heads to be able to complete the turn 1 does a half left hand turn,raising his left hand over his head, and backs under the stick held between 2 and 3 After unravelling, let go of your neighbour's stick. Return to place |
Chorus (AB)
Lead Out and Finish (A) |
|
|---|---|
| Count | Moves |
| 1-16 | Active dancer turns out and the others follow to eventually form a line up in front of the band, facing the audience. Optional right hand twirls, as the fancy takes Line up in front of the band and on the last count, raise sticks horizontally held in both hands and give a loud yell |
