As far as I know there were three walk around your corner variations back then:

- keeping right shoulders close

- men essentially do a do si do (back to back) while the women went forward and back 

- do si do (back to back) with corner.

Grandpa has a hard time remembering his sources but Cowboy Dances and Ricky Holden's book would be good places to look.

T




On Jul 20, 2017, at 8:08 AM, john@modernjive.com [trad-dance-callers] <trad-dance-callers@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Hi,
  I am doing some research into the Walk Around/Gypsy move.

  In “Sets in Order” Vol. 1 No. 3 February 1949,  page 14:
“popular Texas filler: All around your left hand lady, (Passing right shoulders so a do-sa-do around your corner) See saw your pretty little taw (passing left shoulder, the men go around their partners and back to place)"

  The current CallerLab Modern Western Square Dancing definition is:
“Walk Around the Corner: Dancers face their corners. Walking forward and around each other while keeping right shoulders adjacent, dancers return to their original position, with their backs toward their corner.” Note: this was previously known as “All Around the Corner”.

  So does anyone know:

How old is All Around/Walk Around?

When did it change from a do-sa-do into a facing, Gypsy-like move?

Or were the do-sa-do and the facing versions just regional variations?

What did Taw mean and why is it no longer used?  (I seem to remember seeing something about it being considered derogatory, or is that just my lousy memory?)

  Pointers to source documents showing any of the answers would be most appreciated.

  Thanks,

Happy dancing,
John

John Sweeney, Dancer, England john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent