Welcome to the online collection of the collected works of Charles Bolton, which is comprised of Retreads (interpretations of 17th and 18th century English dances) and the nine booklets of Charles’s original dances and tunes.

Charles worked on Retreads from 1985 to 2003. We are presenting the 2nd edition of these booklets, redesigned and rewritten so the presentation is clear, and with revised interpretations in some cases. In addition, we present two previously unpublished dances: Jack’s Health and The Happy Captive.

The booklets of original dances and tunes were originally published 1982 through 2005. The main index can be sorted by booklet name or dance.

All dances are © Charles Bolton and are published here with his permission. The dances and tunes may be printed for your own use, under Creative Commons license (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike: CC BY-NC-SA). This means:

  • you must credit Charles Bolton and the CDSS Online Library;
  • you may print and redistribute the dances, and build upon Bolton’s work;
  • all new work must carry the same license, so any derivatives must also be non-commercial in nature.

Charles Bolton Biography

Charles Bolton
Charles Bolton

Charles Bolton was born in 1928 in the North East of England. His first contact with folk dance was at school but later, when living in London, he and his first wife joined the Harrow Folk Dance Club. He soon realized that he enjoyed calling as well as dancing, and eventually became interested in composing his own dances, which he tried out at the club.

His first dance, Dr. Vincent’s Delight (1983), has proved to be one of his most successful dances. Over the years, he has composed a large and varied miscellany of original dances and tunes.

In addition, he has researched nearly 100 dances from the 17th and 18th centuries, with the object of making these “Retreads” more accessible to dancers of the present day.

The Original Dances and Tunes of Charles Bolton

Charles Bolton is a prolific composer and choreographer for English country dancing. He has published nine volumes of original dances, some with original tunes and some with traditional music.

You may search by booklet name, or by the name of the dance. Each dance is presented with music, and the dance instructions. (Note that in some cases there may be multiple tunes or dances on a page).

Many dances now include music tracks, recorded by Peter Jenkins of Kafoozalum Country Dance Band. Many thanks to Linda Simans for arranging the conversion from cassette tapes; to Colin Hume for entrusting CDSS with the files; and especially to John Cornett for recording, separating, and renaming the tracks.

Click the blue music icons to listen to a tune in your browser. To download a tune, right-click (on a Windows computer) or Control-click (on a Mac), then choose Save File As.

Jump to:

Bolton Original Dances Index

Courtesy Turns

Doc Music Vol #
PDFThe Band Wagon MP3 5 5
PDFDouble Top MP3 5 10
PDFThe Edmonton Assembly MP3 5 7
PDFHarwood Hall MP3 5 2
PDFHillingdon Heath MP3 5 4
PDFNonsuch Cottage (original)   5 8
PDFReeds United MP3 5 6
PDFSerendipity MP3 5 11
PDFThe Sixteenth of November MP3 5 3
PDFValentine MP3 5 9
PDFCourtesy Turns – Book Cover   5 cover
PDFCourtesy Turns – Introduction   5 intro
PDFCourtesy Turns – Index   5 index

For Your Pleasure, Volume 1

Title Music Vol #
Alterations MP3 1 7
Cottey House MP3 1 12
Delia MP3 1 2
Freeford Gardens MP3 1 8
Hebridean Weevil MP3 1 13
Hunsdon House MP3 1 10
Jamaica MP3 1 6
The Leaving of Liverpool MP3 1 5
Mount Hills MP3 1 1
Oranges and Lemons MP3 1 4
The Russian Dance MP3 1 9
Sussex Cottage MP3 1 11
A Trip to Paris MP3 1 3
A Trip to Richmond MP3 1 14

For Your Pleasure, Volume 2

Title Music Vol #
Bouzer Castle MP3 2 3
Cherry Stones MP3 2 14
The Fine Companion MP3 2 6
The General MP3 2 13
The Goose and the Gridiron MP3 2 8
Hyde Park MP3 2 2
The Lincolnshire Poacher MP3 2 7
Lord of Carnarvon’s Jig MP3 2 1
Merry Andrew MP3 2 4
The Night Cap MP3 2 9
Oswestry Square MP3 2 11
Parthenia MP3 2 12
The Princess MP3 2 5
The Siege of Limerick MP3 2 10

For Your Pleasure, Volume 3

Title Music Vol #
Burghee’s Hole MP3 3 1
Dull Sir John MP3 3 12
Elverton Grove MP3 3 11
Greenwich Park MP3 3 8
The Installation MP3 3 5
Lady in the Dark MP3 3 10
Lord Anson For Ever MP3 3 3
Love and a Bottle MP3 3 9
Nonsuch II MP3 3 7
The Shepherd’s Daughter MP3 3 6
Slaughter House MP3 3 2
Sprigs of Laurel MP3 3 14
Wildboar’s Maggot MP3 3 13
Young Man’s Fancy MP3 3 4

For Your Pleasure, Volume 4

Title Music Vol #
Blackwell Hall MP3 4 6
Bury Fair MP3 4 9
Cupid’s Garden MP3 4 10
Easter Eve MP3 4 3
The Eliza MP3 4 7
Faithless Nancy Dawson [A Roving] MP3 4 14
The Lacemaker MP3 4 1
The More the Merrier MP3 4 5
Mr Cosgill’s Delight MP3 4 8
My Lady Foster’s Delight MP3 4 12
New Year’s Day in the Morning MP3 4 13
The Queen of Sheba MP3 4 2
Sion House MP3 4 4
Union Jigg MP3 4 11

More of the Same

Doc Music Vol #
PDFThe Ashford Anniversary MP3 4 14
PDFThe Chairman’s Excursion MP3 4 4
PDFThe Chairman’s Excursion – cont.   4 5
PDFCirce’s Charm MP3 4 15
PDFFord’s Frolic MP3 4 3
PDFMrs. Pomeroy’s Pavane MP3 4 16
PDFThe New Year Rag MP3 4 12
PDFNew Year Rag – cont.   4 13
PDFNick’s Maggot MP3 4 8
PDFNick’s Maggot – cont.   4 9
PDFThe Plaster Cast MP3 4 10
PDFThe Plaster Cast – cont.   4 11
PDFPolygamy MP3 4 6
PDFPolygamy, cont. & Fair Exchange MP3 4 7
PDFMore of the Same – Cover   4 cover
PDFMore of the Same – Introduction   4 intro
PDFMore of the Same – Index   4 index

More Optimistic Dances

Doc Music Vol #
PDFDunwich Heath MP3 2 11
PDFThe Felton Rag MP3 2 3
PDFHarrow Hoedown MP3 2 5
PDFMr. Bolton’s Fancy MP3 2 6
PDFNora’s Christmas Box MP3 2 12
PDFOlive’s Toy MP3 2 9
PDFPrimrose Hill MP3 2 10
PDFA Trip to Hengrave MP3 2 4
PDF25cc MP3 2 8
PDFXanadu MP3 2 2
PDFMore Optimistic Dances – Cover Page   2 cover
PDFMore Optimistic Dances – Introduction   2 intro
PDFMore Optimistic Dances – Index   2 index

Not All My Own Work

Doc Music Vol #
PDFAgain Sweet Richard MP3 3 5
PDFAli’s Allemand MP3 3 8
PDFCat’s Cradle MP3 3 12
PDFDenis’s Delight MP3 3 9
PDFHere’s Howe! MP3 3 3
PDFLavender’s Blue MP3 3 11
PDFLove and Innocence MP3 3 10
PDFPaddington Street MP3 3 2
PDFTerpsichore MP3 3 6
PDFTerpsichore – music   3 7
PDFA Toast to Gerry MP3 3 4
PDFNot All My Own Work – Cover Page   3 cover
PDFNot All My Own Work – Introduction   3 intro
PDFNot All My Own Work – Index   3 index

Occasions

Doc Music Vol #
PDFBeechen Grove’s New Hall MP3 6 10
PDFDr. Vincent’s Delight MP3 6 7
PDFA Measure for Margaret MP3 6 6
PDFA New Broom   6 11
PDFNonsuch Cottage MP3 6 3
PDFThe Pearl MP3 6 8
PDFThe Ruby   6 2
PDFSt. George’s Day (The Birthday of the Bard) MP3 6 9
PDFTrafalgar Day   6 12
PDFWearside MP3 6 4
PDFWearside – music   6 5
PDFOccasions Cover Page   6 cover
PDFOccasions TOC   6 index

The Optimist

Doc Music Vol #
PDFBigamy MP3 1 3
PDFCircassian Square MP3 1 2
PDFThe Liberated Ladies MP3 1 5
PDFNervous Breakdown MP3 1 4
PDFThe Optimist MP3 1 1
PDFSilver Jig (Bring on the Dancing Searls) MP3 1 8
PDFSimple Folk MP3 1 7
PDFSkip Sprightly MP3 1 10
PDFSue’s Fancy (The Real Needham) MP3 1 9
PDFA Trip to Mill Hill MP3 1 6
PDFThe Optimist – Cover Sheet   1 cover
PDFThe Optimist – Index   1 index

People and Places

Doc Vol #
PDFThe Beggar’s Delight 7 9
PDFThe Beggar’s Delight – music 7 13
PDFCannock Chase 7 3
PDFCannock Chase – music 7 13
PDFCircassian Contra 7 2
PDFHatfield House 7 5
PDFHatfield House – music 7 14
PDFLanchester Larks 7 11
PDFLanchester Larks – music 7 14
PDFManton Lane 7 4
PDFManton Lane – music 7 16
PDFSpring Wedding 7 8
PDFSpring Wedding – music 7 15
PDFStately Manor 7 10
PDFStately Manor – music 7 16
PDFThe Stratford Square 7 7
PDFA Trip to Hexham 7 6
PDFA Trip to Hexham – music 7 15
PDFPeople and Places – Cover Sheet 7 cover
PDFPeople and Places – Index 7 index
PDFPeople and Places – Music Index 7 12

Round Robin

Doc Vol #
PDFAshworth 9 5
PDFCordiality 9 2
PDFThe Elixir 9 12
PDFFresh Fields 9 6
PDFGender Bender 9 10
PDFKing For A Day 9 4
PDFMoonwalk 9 13
PDFMoscow Nights 9 15
PDFOrliana 9 3
PDFPastures New 9 7
PDFRound Robin 9 1
PDFRuby Revelry 9 14
PDFThe 16th of November (2nd version) 9 8
PDFA Southerly Breeze 9 11
PDFSpringfield Court 9 16
PDFSt. George’s Day (The Birthday of the Bard) (2nd version) 9 9
PDFRound Robin – Cover 9 cover
PDFRound Robin – Index 9 index

What’s New

Doc Vol #
PDFBarnard Castle – Instruction 8 10
PDFBarnard Castle – Tune 8 10
PDFBeginner’s Luck – Instructions 8 13
PDFBeginner’s Luck – Tune 8 13
PDFBusy Line – Instructions 8 16
PDFThe Dancing Years – Instructions 8 1
PDFThe Dancing Years – Tune 8 1
PDFEat, Drink and be Merry – Instructions 8 3
PDFEat, Drink and be Merry – Tune 8 3
PDFThe Dancing Years – Instructions 8 8
PDFThe Dancing Years – Tune 8 8
PDFThe Great Hall – Instructions 8 14
PDFThe Great Hall – Tune 8 14
PDFHale Barns – Instructions 8 6
PDFHale Barns – Tune 8 6
PDFHomage to Herbie – Instructions 8 17
PDFHope for the Best – Instructions 8 5
PDFHope for the Best – Tune 8 5
PDFLove and Innocence – Instructions 8 12
PDFMr. McFarlane’s Surprise – Instructions 8 4
PDFMr. McFarlane’s Surprise – Tune 8 4
PDFMrs. Pike’s Maggot – Instruction 8 7
PDFMrs. Pike’s Maggot (Planxty Irwin) – Tune 8 7
PDFThe Octagon – Instructions 8 2
PDFThe Octagon – Tune (Dalegarth) 8 2
PDFResolution – Instruction 8 9
PDFResolution – Tune 8 9
PDFRydale – Instructions 8 11
PDFRydale – Tune 8 11
PDFZagZig – Instructions 8 15
PDFZagZig – Tune 8 15
PDFWhat’s New – Cover 8 cover
PDFWhat’s New – Inside Cover 8 inside cover
PDFWhat’s New – Index 8 index
PDFWhat’s New – Notes 8 notes

Charles Bolton's Retreads

Charles Bolton’s Retreads is a collection of interpretations of 92 English country dances from 17th and 18th sources, the majority from volumes of Playford’s Dancing-Master, plus selections from Johnson, Thompson, Walsh, Burbank, Griffiths, and Kynaston.

Each dance appears with music, the original dance instructions, Charles’s interpretations, and notes on interpretative decisions.

The dances are organized in nine volumes, plus two previously unpublished interpretations. You may search by volume number, by the name of the dance or by its number. The dances are numbered consecutively throughout the volumes, so at the top of each dance you will find an identifier, for example: Retreads No. 6 (for the sixth dance in volume 1 and so on, through No. 92).

Retreads Master Index

Dance Volume Number
PDFThe French Ambassador Retreads 1 1
PDFSir Watkin’s Jig Retreads 1 2
PDFUp Tails All Retreads 1 3
PDFA Health to Betty Retreads 1 4
PDFKensington Court Retreads 1 5
PDFThe Collier’s Daughter Retreads 1 6
PDFSage Leaf Retreads 1 7
PDFCockle Shells Retreads 1 8
PDFRigadoon Retreads 1 9
PDFBellamira Retreads 1 10
PDFRetreads – Vol. 1 – Cover Retreads 1 Ret1 cover
PDFRetreads – Vol. 1 – Index Retreads 1 Ret1 index
PDFBurgundy’s Flight Retreads 2 11
PDFMy Lady Winwood’s Maggot Retreads 2 12
PDFThe London Gentlewoman Retreads 2 13
PDFOne More Dance and Then Retreads 2 14
PDFThe Other Phoenix Retreads 2 15
PDFTwas o’er the Hills and Far Away Retreads 2 16
PDFThe Tub Retreads 2 17
PDFThe Brick Makers Retreads 2 18
PDFTen Pound Lass Retreads 2 19
PDFLincoln Retreads 2 20
PDFRetreads – Vol. 2 – Cover Retreads 2  
PDFRetreads – Vol. 2 – Index Retreads 2  
PDFHighland Wedding Retreads 3 21
PDFOur Happy Meeting Retreads 3 22
PDFKendall House Retreads 3 23
PDFThe Wedding Retreads 3 24
PDFThe Mock Match Retreads 3 25
PDFThe Lord Phoppington Retreads 3 26
PDFMrs. Hill’s Dance Retreads 3 27
PDFMother Brown’s Cat Retreads 3 28
PDFThe Riddle Retreads 3 29
PDFQueen Bess’s Dame of Honour Retreads 3 30
PDFRetreads – Vol. 3 – Cover Retreads 3  
PDFRetreads – Vol. 3 – Index Retreads 3  
PDFThe Jovial Beggars Retreads 4 31
PDFPrince Edward’s Jig Retreads 4 32
PDFCupid’s Garden Retreads 4 33
PDFPetticoat Wag Retreads 4 34
PDFHer Killing Eyes Retreads 4 35
PDFLe Debauche Retreads 4 36
PDFAll Together, One After Another Retreads 4 37
PDFTemple Bar Retreads 4 38
PDFBraes of Dornoch Retreads 4 39
PDFStingo Retreads 4 40
PDFRetreads – Vol. 4 – Cover Retreads 4  
PDFRetreads – Vol. 4 – Index Retreads 4  
PDFSt. Catherine Retreads 5 41
PDFThe Galloping Nag Retreads 5 42
PDFRed and All Red Retreads 5 43
PDFAmesbury Retreads 5 44
PDFShe Would if She Could Retreads 5 45
PDFThe Newmarket Lass Retreads 5 46
PDFCheerily and Merrily (Mr. Webb’s Fancy) Retreads 5 47
PDFKingsale Retreads 5 48
PDFUp Goes Ely Retreads 5 49
PDFLady Day Retreads 5 50
PDFRetreads – Vol. 5 – Cover Retreads 5  
PDFRetreads – Vol. 5 – Index Retreads 5  
PDFWaltham Abbey Retreads 6 51
PDFThe Dainty Fine Bride Retreads 6 52
PDFThe Young Widow Retreads 6 53
PDFParson Upon Dorothy Retreads 6 54
PDFThe Constant Lover Retreads 6 55
PDFNew Man Tiger Retreads 6 56
PDFDonawert Pass Retreads 6 57
PDFRow Well, Ye Mariners Retreads 6 58
PDFThe Merry Conceit Retreads 6 59
PDFLove for Love Retreads 6 60
PDFRetreads – Vol. 6 – Cover Retreads 6  
PDFRetreads – Vol. 6 – Index Retreads 6  
PDFBritain’s Glory Retreads 7 61
PDFThe Drummer Retreads 7 62
PDFHoxton Square Retreads 7 63
PDFCrosbey Square Retreads 7 64
PDFWe Will Down with the French Retreads 7 65
PDFJockey to the Fair Retreads 7 66
PDFThe Devonshire Girl Retreads 7 67
PDFKatherine Street Retreads 7 68
PDFMr. Heath’s Dance Retreads 7 69
PDFWolverton Hall Retreads 7 70
PDFRetreads – Vol. 7 – Cover Retreads 7  
PDFRetreads – Vol. 7 – Index Retreads 7  
PDFBonny Dundee Retreads 8 71
PDFThe Hey Maker’s Dance Retreads 8 72
PDFThe Mulberry Maid Retreads 8 73
PDFI Often for my Jenny Strove Retreads 8 74
PDFThe Jockey Retreads 8 75
PDFMillison’s Jig Retreads 8 76
PDFCheshire Rounds Retreads 8 77
PDFThe Glory of the West Retreads 8 78
PDFThe Last New Vagaries Retreads 8 79
PDFNorthern Nancy Retreads 8 80
PDFRetreads – Vol. 8 – Cover Retreads 8  
PDFRetreads – Vol. 8 – Index Retreads 8  
PDFThe Restoration of King Charles Retreads 9 81
PDFLinco Retreads 9 82
PDFDrive the Cold Winter Away Retreads 9 83
PDFEly Minster Retreads 9 84
PDFYoung Damon Retreads 9 85
PDFLord How’s Jig Retreads 9 86
PDFA Trip to Nottingham Retreads 9 87
PDFDunkirk Retreads 9 88
PDFTwas o’er the Hills and Far Away (2nd version) Retreads 9 89
PDFBlenheim Pound Retreads 9 90
PDFRetreads – Vol. 9 – Cover Retreads 9  
PDFRetreads – Vol. 9 – Index Retreads 9  
PDFJack’s Health Retreads 10 91
PDFThe Happy Captive Retreads 10 92