The movements of the hands are made invariably according to rule, as
follows:--
These rules apply, as with the Jump, to all Handkerchief and Corner
dances.
In making the Jump, the hands are always, with rigid arms, thrown above
the head.
In "Down-and-back" and "Up-and-back," "Chain," "Cross-over,"
"Back-to-back," "Go-and-come," movements of the hands are always the
same. That is: Commencing with the preliminary Jump, when the hands are
above the head, on beginning of first bar, with first step (of 4/3 or 6/3
step), hands are swung backward; forward on half-bar; back again,
beginning of bar 2, and forward on half-bar of bar 2. In bar 3 (4/2 or
6/2 step) the hands, being already upward and forward, are swung twice in
a circle, commencing inward, so that the handkerchiefs are waved in a
double circle over the head. At beginning of bar 4 the hands are lowered
straight in line with the body, and at half-bar of bar 4, with the Jump,
they are thrown straight above the head on rigid arms.
These movements of the hands are always the same in every Handkerchief
and Corner dance. Whenever the 4/3 or 6/3 step is used the hands are
swung as already described. Also, wherever there are the two bars of 4/2
or 6/2 step, the hands are also used as already described--double circle
overhead; down, and up on the Jump.
In Capers, wherever the 4/1 or 6/1 High Step is used, the hands are swung
backward on beginning of bar, forward and upward on half-bar; and this
movement is continued all the time the High Step (4/1 or 6/1) is used.
The arms in all these movements described, should really be swung as far,
both backward and forward, as possible. The Morris-men themselves swing
the arms behind to an angle of 45 degrees or so; but in the forward swing
their hands are raised forward and a little higher than the head, on arms
slightly bent at the elbows.