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Longsword Dancing
Although longsword is generally known as a traditional sword dance of the Yorkshire region, it is possible that this type of dance was at one time performed throughout the North, being associated with agricultural workers and the plough celebrations of the New Year.The longsword dance varies from rapper dancing in a number of ways. Longsword tends to be performed to at a much slower speed than rapper, in a rather sombre military style. The swords are rigid, and clogs are often worn to emphasise the steps. The team consists of six or eight dancers who carry swords of steel or wood and hold the end of the sword of the next person, forming a circle. In a chain, the dancers pass over and under the swords, eventually weaving the swords together into a knot, which is held aloft.
The photograph above shows Grenoside Sword Team performing the longsword dance. Look at how the costumes differ from that of a rapper team
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Grenoside Longsword Team
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Longsword dancing has been practised all over the county of Yorkshire, from Sheffield in the south-west to numerous villages in Teesside in the North-East. Today there are a number of teams in the North East who perform the traditional rigid sword dance. The Newcastle Kingsmen perform a specific longsword dance from the village of Grenoside, near Sheffield.
Monkseaton Morrismen, Loftus and Redcar sword dance teams are also among a number of other teams who perform longsword dancing locally.
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Newcastle Kingsmen perform the Grenoside rigid sword dance
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On this sound clip we hear melodeon player Arthur Marshall playing tunes for the Loftus sword dance. Each tune signals the start of a new figure. Tunes played include John Peel, Lass of Dalogill, Oyster Girl. Cock of the North and the Keel Row. Listen carefully and you will hear the crowd cheer as the dancers hold the sword lock high above their heads at the close of each figure.
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