“Big dance comin’ up over at Bear Holler next month. You goin’?
“Depends. Who’s callin’?
“Wade and Junior Lipscomb, I heard.”
“Anybody good a-playin’?”
“Couple of real good fiddlers and a flat top picker out of Waynesville,
they say. Jess Stewart will be a-playin’ the bass.”
“Reckon I’ll see you there, then.”
This mythical conversation, or something like it, might have taken place many times in many variations back in more innocent days. The Great Smoky Mountains of Virginia, the Carolinas and north Georgia had their versions, as did Texas, Oklahoma and many other places in the west and mid-west. It was The Dance - as much anticipated as any event today.
Hard, physical daily labor was required from most folks, including women and children. Emotional stress was a constant companion. Recreation was a luxury. When an opportunity came along to temporarily ignore the struggles and simply enjoy oneself, especially in a large crowd doing the same, it was eagerly accepted by as many as could attend.
Note the first question asked in the mythical conversation, “Who’s callin’?“ In many cases, the “Caller” was as important as the musicians. They were responsible for directing the moves. A good caller could play the audience like an instrument itself, and create a unique classic with every dance. Like a great conductor, he or she could make all the difference in an experience.
In a square dance, for example, certain steps, or moves, were well known, like “allemande” “do si do” or “promenade.” Other dances, such as the Virginia Reel had their own. It was up to the caller to coordinate all the moves in a smooth transition, to keep the dance interesting and fun and to determine just how long it should last.
These dances were direct descendants of formal balls held throughout Europe in the days before the great migration west. In France and Germany, in particular, they were at the highest rank of social affairs. Only the elite could attend, and the music was often provided by the finest musicians. “Allemande,” is a French word simply meaning German. The step was first conceived in Germany as a part of a “Suite” of dance moves.
It is exquisitely appropriate, then, that in the new America, a land of free and equal men, the dance became a completely democratic affair. Everyone was invited. Fun was considered a free and equal commodity.
The “New World” was built upon a notion that men were created with equal rights and opportunities. That was the starting point, at least, and, although some might separate themselves through ability and hard work, everyone had a place at the dinner table or on the dance floor. True to form, a person might distinguish himself with superior talent and receive due acclaim, but anyone could have a go at it. My Uncle John wasn’t known as “Rubber-Legs” for nothing.
Large gatherings have great emotional influence over most people. For good or ill, a common bond is enhanced. It is no accident that large audiences are sought for political rallies or religious “Crusades.”
The theme of the big dance was (and remains) a fun and festive occasion for everyone. All other attitudes need to be checked at the door. “We can share a common, enjoyable period of time together, however briefly,” seems to work across all humanity in many circumstances. Truces have been briefly held in wars, so each side could enjoy a peaceful holiday, often shared together. The whole idea of diplomacy is based on finding common ground, however tenuous. The whole idea of America is that we each remain an individual personally, but work together for the common good in order to be strong as a group. It used to be that most folks could discern the difference and work to accomplish both.
In America, in particular, however, the emphasis on the individual has grown far beyond the importance of a strong group. If you are fortunate enough to travel, you will notice a cohesiveness in most countries. It isn’t mandated, and it isn’t absolute, but there is a much stronger feeling of “Country” in most foreign lands than in the U.S.
This is a recent trend in American society, I believe. In particular, our children grow up far more isolated, socially, than ever before. They no longer play neighborhood games with each other, and individual video games are pretty much universal. Even when they communicate, it is through a remote medium like Twitter, or E-Mail in which each party is physically separated from the other. That’s just it - we are more and more becoming isolated emotionally from one another from an increasing lack of physical contact. We are beginning to lose respect and understanding for each other.
Watch a fierce sporting event, football in particular. Each side spends a lot of time and energy attempting to prevail. At the end, they hug and congratulate the other side - not always, and not always in great humor, but often, at least, in respect and understanding of the effort given.
The Dance gave us an opportunity to be together on common ground for a time - to enjoy something larger than ourselves and believe in a place where it is perfectly acceptable and worthy of us to hold the ideal of “Oneness” in esteem.
Somewhere along the way, perhaps, we lost faith in The Caller.
“Depends. Who’s callin’?
“Wade and Junior Lipscomb, I heard.”
“Anybody good a-playin’?”
“Couple of real good fiddlers and a flat top picker out of Waynesville,
they say. Jess Stewart will be a-playin’ the bass.”
“Reckon I’ll see you there, then.”
This mythical conversation, or something like it, might have taken place many times in many variations back in more innocent days. The Great Smoky Mountains of Virginia, the Carolinas and north Georgia had their versions, as did Texas, Oklahoma and many other places in the west and mid-west. It was The Dance - as much anticipated as any event today.
Hard, physical daily labor was required from most folks, including women and children. Emotional stress was a constant companion. Recreation was a luxury. When an opportunity came along to temporarily ignore the struggles and simply enjoy oneself, especially in a large crowd doing the same, it was eagerly accepted by as many as could attend.
Note the first question asked in the mythical conversation, “Who’s callin’?“ In many cases, the “Caller” was as important as the musicians. They were responsible for directing the moves. A good caller could play the audience like an instrument itself, and create a unique classic with every dance. Like a great conductor, he or she could make all the difference in an experience.
In a square dance, for example, certain steps, or moves, were well known, like “allemande” “do si do” or “promenade.” Other dances, such as the Virginia Reel had their own. It was up to the caller to coordinate all the moves in a smooth transition, to keep the dance interesting and fun and to determine just how long it should last.
These dances were direct descendants of formal balls held throughout Europe in the days before the great migration west. In France and Germany, in particular, they were at the highest rank of social affairs. Only the elite could attend, and the music was often provided by the finest musicians. “Allemande,” is a French word simply meaning German. The step was first conceived in Germany as a part of a “Suite” of dance moves.
It is exquisitely appropriate, then, that in the new America, a land of free and equal men, the dance became a completely democratic affair. Everyone was invited. Fun was considered a free and equal commodity.
The “New World” was built upon a notion that men were created with equal rights and opportunities. That was the starting point, at least, and, although some might separate themselves through ability and hard work, everyone had a place at the dinner table or on the dance floor. True to form, a person might distinguish himself with superior talent and receive due acclaim, but anyone could have a go at it. My Uncle John wasn’t known as “Rubber-Legs” for nothing.
Large gatherings have great emotional influence over most people. For good or ill, a common bond is enhanced. It is no accident that large audiences are sought for political rallies or religious “Crusades.”
The theme of the big dance was (and remains) a fun and festive occasion for everyone. All other attitudes need to be checked at the door. “We can share a common, enjoyable period of time together, however briefly,” seems to work across all humanity in many circumstances. Truces have been briefly held in wars, so each side could enjoy a peaceful holiday, often shared together. The whole idea of diplomacy is based on finding common ground, however tenuous. The whole idea of America is that we each remain an individual personally, but work together for the common good in order to be strong as a group. It used to be that most folks could discern the difference and work to accomplish both.
In America, in particular, however, the emphasis on the individual has grown far beyond the importance of a strong group. If you are fortunate enough to travel, you will notice a cohesiveness in most countries. It isn’t mandated, and it isn’t absolute, but there is a much stronger feeling of “Country” in most foreign lands than in the U.S.
This is a recent trend in American society, I believe. In particular, our children grow up far more isolated, socially, than ever before. They no longer play neighborhood games with each other, and individual video games are pretty much universal. Even when they communicate, it is through a remote medium like Twitter, or E-Mail in which each party is physically separated from the other. That’s just it - we are more and more becoming isolated emotionally from one another from an increasing lack of physical contact. We are beginning to lose respect and understanding for each other.
Watch a fierce sporting event, football in particular. Each side spends a lot of time and energy attempting to prevail. At the end, they hug and congratulate the other side - not always, and not always in great humor, but often, at least, in respect and understanding of the effort given.
The Dance gave us an opportunity to be together on common ground for a time - to enjoy something larger than ourselves and believe in a place where it is perfectly acceptable and worthy of us to hold the ideal of “Oneness” in esteem.
Somewhere along the way, perhaps, we lost faith in The Caller.
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