It must always be remembered that the Morris-men themselves vary the
length of their dances, according to the humour of the moment, and their
freshness or fatigue. A dance can always be shortened by leaving out one
or more figures: the musician will know what to do by the call of the
leader.
In "Blue-eyed Stranger," for instance, if the side is feeling
particularly high-spirited, the whole sixteen bars of "B" music may be
danced; but as a rule this will be found too long. Again, to extend "Rigs
o' Marlow" (another trying dance) the music may be played four times
instead of three, when Back-to-back will be danced to "A" music. "Bluff
King Hal," danced to its full length as shown in the Notation, will as a
general rule also be found too long. It can easily be shortened by
leaving out repetitions or certain figures. In brief, once the dances are
learned it is a very simple matter, and quite according to tradition, to
lengthen or abbreviate them in any way desired.