Dances of England & Wales

<p>The traditional dances of Merrie England that</p><p>once earned us the name of 'the dancing English'</p><p>were all but lost under the soot and grime of the</p><p>Industrial Revolution. Only the devoted labours</p><p>and patient research of Cecil Sharp saved them</p><p>from extinction: Here and there in quiet corners</p><p>of the countryside he found old men who still</p><p>remembered the delightful dances of their youth</p><p>and this 'timely salvage' as Maud Karpeles calls it</p><p>resulted in the folkdance revival that is at once his</p><p>handiwork and his memorial.</p><p><br></p><p>In Wales too time has wrought ill with the folk</p><p>traditions. The music of the crwth is heard alas</p><p>no more but the Welsh dances are being revived</p><p>and can now be seen in their traditional setting at</p><p>the Eisteddfodau and in the country villages.</p><p>Miss Karpeles who worked with Sharp for</p><p>many years and who is Honorary Secretary of</p><p>the International Folk Music Council writes</p><p>with authority on English folk dancing; Mrs.</p><p>Blake is President of the Welsh Folk Dnace</p><p>Society. Detailed descriptions (with music) of</p><p>four selected dances and four costume plates in</p><p>full colour make this book one that will gladden</p><p>the heart of all who love the dance and the</p><p>countryside. </p>