Hubby and I have just returned from the city. We delivered daughter there in her capacity as violin and recorder-player in a  ceilidh band. The venue was a very large church hall and there were about 70 adults and 20 children. The band, two violins (or fiddlers), two guitarists and one banjo player were up on stage. The leader of the band is also the caller, encouraging 'newbies' to master the steps of the traditional dances. It's great fun and the children particularly seem to love weaving in and out between each other.

 

It's not all dancing of course. Too exhausting I should think! So daughter and others vary the routine and pace with various songs. These range from traditional English, American, Scottish or Irish, to this polka, their latest offering.

My daughter is something of a linguist and finds learning languages relatively easy so this ancient Finnish folk-song presented no great problems to her. It is literally a tongue-twister and done at high speed.  This is just one of several verses. Fancy giving it a go? All together now!

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Silellä oli lystiä soiton jäläkeen
Sain minä kerran sytkyyttee.
Kottiin ko mäntii ni ämmä se riitelj
Ja Ieva jo alako nyyhkyytteek.
Minä sanon Ievalle mitäpä se haittaa
Laskemma vielähi laiasta laitaa.
Salivili hipput tupput tapput
Äppyt tipput hilijalleen.

Easy peasy eh?

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When I was in junior school we enjoyed occasional country dancing. Our daughter's infant school danced round the Maypole for their school fete but do today's children still have time for such carefree music and movement or is it more about cramming for OFSTED visits?

This afternoon we witnessed the joy of children happily spinning around the floor or galloping with  their mums and dads. Such fun. Such happy memories created.

 

Long may ceilidhs continue!

                                 Granny Bonnet

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https://fairgreenceilidh.wixsite.com/norfolk-dance/faq

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