Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Real Cowboys Don’t Just Line Dance



 

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

 

Dance has always been a way for people to relax and express themselves. That was as true for the nineteenth century cowboy as it is today. After spending hours in the saddle, cowboys weren’t exactly known for grace. Nor did they worry about traditional dance forms. One observer commented in 1873, that "some punchers danced like a bear 'round a beehive that was afraid of getting stung.”

Balls, Fandangos and German hops were held at ranches, barns, saloons and even under the stars. Announcements were made in local newspapers or simply by word of mouth.

Impromptu dances were common. A few cowboys would start dancing in the middle of town and everyone would soon join in. Sawdust or corn flour was often scattered across the dance floor to allow boots to slide with the greatest of ease.

If women weren’t available, “stag” dances were held. The “heifer-branded” men wore a kerchief tied to one arm and knew not to take the lead. Even the roughest, toughest cowboys were expected to mind their manners on the dance floor. Men were referred to as “gentlemen” and women as “ladies.”

Cowboy: "Can I have the last dance with you?"

Cowgirl: "You’re having it!" 

 

The Polka became all the rage during the nineteenth century and phrases such as polka dots, polka socks and polka hats began creeping into the language.

Cowboys took to polka like birds to the air, adding a distinct western flair. A cowboy’s spurs forced him to shuffle with his feet apart. Women were often held in a “vise” grip better suited to wrestling steer (actually, this describes the way my husband danced). 



Dancing is like taking a shower.

One wrong turn and you're in hot water! 

 

Immigrants brought their native dances to the west. Marching to a different drummer is one thing, but dancing to one is entirely something else. The foreign dances with their intricate steps soon turned the dance floor into mass confusion. No one really knows who first came up with the idea of picking up a megaphone and calling out steps to keep everyone on track. This was the beginning of the “figure caller.” After awhile, these callers began to create their own dances and square dancing was born. (Did you know that square dancing is always called in English, even in foreign countries?) 


One plus one makes two—except for when you’re dancing 

 

The two-step dance (sometimes called the Texas two-step) originated in 1889 when John Phillip Sousa composed the Washington Post March. The nineteenth century two step was derived from the polka. It actually has three steps, not two, and simply omitted the polka hop.

One thing is certain, no cowboy ever worried about having two left feet. 


 

Okay, 'fess up.  Any hoofers out there?



      
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17 comments:

  1. This was fun to read. Thanks! Lightheartedness is welcome these days.

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    1. Connie, I know what you mean. We all could use a little lightheartedness! Hope you're staying warm and dry.

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  2. This was very cute. I have some friends who go to dances ever Saturday night. Its Missouri so not too Cowboy although back in history this was Cowboy Country! Its Excercise! Also at Octoberfest at Church every year we have an oompa band.

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    1. Hi Paula, an oompa band sounds like fun. Exercising not so much. Thank you for sharing. Take care!

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  3. What fun! Hubby and I got to know each other over line dancing every Wed evening. It was huge back in our day around here. We still talk about those memories and wish we could go do it again!

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    1. Hi Susan, line dancing seems to be making a comeback in California. I noticed that both the Y and senior center now offer line dancing. Maybe you and your hubby will get your wish! Thank you for sharing.

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  4. Fun post, Margaret. Thanks for the tidbits on dancing. It sounds like a dance in the old west would have been a sight to see!

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    1. Thank you, Amber. I agree. It would have been a fun sight to see! I tried line dancing once but I was always on the wrong foot. I would have probably fit right in with those Old West cowboys.

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  5. Great post, Margaret! Entertaining and informative too!

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    1. Glad you liked it, Melissa. Thank you for stopping by.

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  7. ha ha. What fun! While dancing seemed to degrade into craziness in many arenas, western and line dancing boomed. So much fun to watch and be part of!

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    1. Hi Debra, you're right; there's a lot of craziness on the dance floor. Not long ago, I chaperoned a teen dance and couldn't make sense out of the Dab. I thought everyone was having a sneezing fit.

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  8. I tried to square dance in High School...it didn't go too well. I was a bit taller than my partner and every time he tried to spin me, I got hung up on his arm. LOL I'm not much of a dancer, but this post was very interesting.

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    1. Hi Debbie, bet he didn't mind that you were "hung up" on him. LOL

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    2. LOL...not at all. If I recall correctly, he had a huge crush on me. That's why he kept asking me to be his partner.

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