Readers will be aware that drains have a particular significance in the Fens .....
Music:
A tune by the name of Laudanum Bunches.
A & B phrases normal tempo, C augmented for slow capers
A.(A2B2)2(A2BC)2.A2
Once again, this tune is known from other (Cotswold) morris villages but probably originated here in the Fenland. It is a historical fact that the people of the Fens used once to take poppy-tea, which contains natural opiates - or laudanum - for the alleviation of cold, damp, the flu and depression. We may assume that the 'Laudanum Bunches' are the dried store of poppy heads hanging in the cottagers kitchen during the winter.
Sequence:
OY-FU/D-DF1-CO-DF2-HG-DF3-Rds-DF4 then all up or Hey.
Set:
Note, this is a hankie dance for eight dancers
Dance:
Common figures are as normal
Chorus (DF):
Each time for the first eight bars of music - face across the set and...
- Odds clap in front and 'punch' right fist at partners' face
- Evens repeat the above
- All double step and ftj on the spot
For the second eight bars of music -
- Bottoms face up, tops and middles across, fall back one pace
- Bottoms dance up the centre to the top of the set, thus:
DF1: 4 single steps/double ftj sideways to new place
DF2: 2 HC/double step/ftj
DF3: 4 PC/double step/ftj
DF4: 2 slow capers/double step/ ftj
* the whole set joins in on the double steps and ftj each time