First Two Ladies Cross Over - Duke Miller

First Two Ladies Cross Over - Duke Miller

This audio recording features the singing calls of Duke Miller. The noted New Hampshire musician Bob McQuillen played accordion or piano for Duke Miller for 26 consecutive summers and grew tired of this particular tune, Life on the Ocean Wave. McQuillen says that on several occasion he simply refused to play it.

You can view a video of this dance called by Bob Livingston in Killingly, CT.

Transcription

John Derby recording; posted on Walter Lenk's site

First Two Ladies Cross Over, as called by Duke Miller
Tune: Life on the Ocean Wave

Intro
Bow to your partners
Now bow to the corners all
Join hands and circle left, eight hands around
The other way round, you’re going wrong,
To your places all
Swing your partner, everyone, and promenade the hall
[tag]

#1: The head two ladies over, and by the gentlemen stand
The side two over, you all join hands
But you bow to the corner lady, and bow to your partner all
Swing your corner lady, and promenade the hall
[tag: “This woman is now your own… forget the one you had first.”]

Now all the gents a right hand in, and walk around the town
Back by the left, the other way round, and allemande right your own.
Now allemande left the corner, you swing your own around,
Swing this honey, and promenade the town
[tag]

#2: Well, the new head ladies over, and by the gentlemen stand
Side two go over, and all join hands
Bow to your corner lady, and to the partner all,
Swing the corner lady, and promenade the hall
[tag]

Just the head two men with a right hand round
And take your steps in time
Back by the left, give right to your own, you balance there in line
Gents out, girls in, you balance once again
Swing ‘em, boys, swing, and the head two ladies chain.
[“Strut a little, girls, strut! Chain ‘em home”]

Then the side two gents with a right hand round,
Go around the town
Back by the left, the other way, balance in line.
Gents out, girls in, balance again
Swing just once and the side girls chain.
[tag: _ _ _ _ _ _ Chain ‘em home! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _]

#3: The head two ladies over, and by the gentlemen stand
The side two over, and kiss the old man’s hand.
Bow to your partner this time, with the corner swing,
Swing with your corners and you promenade the ring.
[tag] Promenade and keep it straight

Now all the men with a right hand in, and step around in time
Back by the left, the other way, you balance four in line
Gents out, girls in, you balance once again,
Swing, boys, swing, but the four ladies chain.
[tag: _ _ _ _ _ _ Chain ‘em home! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _]

#4: Head two girls over, and by the gentlemen stand,
Side two go over, just as I command
Bow to your partner, ladies, and with the corner swing
Timber! It’s Mother! And promenade the ring.
[tag: Promenade! You should have your own girl.”]

Now it’s all the gents, a right hand in, and keep your steps in time
Back by the left, the other way round, and allemande right your own
Now allemande left the corner girl, swing your own,
Everybody you swing and whirl, and promenade the ring
[tag: “Now promenade eight, ‘til you get straight.”]

You dosido your corners and dosido your own,
_ _ Allemande left, grand right and left
When you meet your partner, don’t leave her there alone,
Swing with your partners, and promenade her home.
[tag: “promenade... and bow to your own.”]


(Not Duke’s line, but commonly inserted on promenade)
If I had a girl, and she wouldn't dance, I tell you what I'd do
I'd buy her a boat, and set her afloat, and paddle my own canoe

04:33