Jessie Polka Square
Cliff Bruner and the Texas Wanderers; many others 1916
  (Folkraft 1263)   Bob Brundage
 
two columns

CALL

I

MUSIC A

(1-4) Side couples arch, face the heads and pass them under
(5-8) And you dip and you dive, home you do and don't you blunder
(9-12) Then you allemande left, put your right arms round your partners
(13-16) Form a star promenade, let's do the Jessie Polka Square

II

(1-4) First the heel, then the toe, and the dance it starts a-going
(5-8) The ladies turn back, join the star and keep it glowing
(9-12) Twinkle and shine and keep the sparkle in it
(13-16) This is really fun, it's the Jessie Polka dance

III

MUSIC B

(1-4) Watch the next new girl as she comes around
(5-8) Take her in your arms, swing her once around
(9-12) Promenade her home, keep her for your partner
(13-16) Square the set and listen while the music stars again

(Entire dance is called four times. Finish with:)

(9-12) Promenade her home and now you've got your partner
(13-16) Take a little swing, you've done the Jessie Polka dance

DANCE

FORMATION

A square of four couples numbered counterclockwise 1, 2, 3, 4. Woman on partner's right.

STARTING POSITION

Partners' inside hands joined. Couple 1 facing Couple 2, Couple 3 facing Couple 4.

MEASURES

I

(1-8) Side couples raise joined inside hands to form an arch and walk clockwise, once around the square, alternately "arching" and "diving" with head couples. Head couples walk counterclockwise, starting under the arches.
(9-12) Allemande left with corners.
(13-16) All walk counterclockwise in a left-hand star promenade, mens' left hands joined in center, right hands around partner's waist.

II

(1-8) Dance the "Jessie Polka" in star formation. On the last two measures (7-8), the ladies drop off the star and each makes a right turn, with two two-steps, to the man behind her.

(9-16) Repeat pattern of measures 1-8.

III

MUSIC B

(1-8) Dance the "Jessie Polka" a third time.
(9-16) Swing new partner (original corner), once around, and promenade home

Entire dance is done four times, ending with original partners.

JESSIE POLKA (Texas Novelty Polka)

FORMATION

Couples or groups of any number in lines, facing counterclockwise.

STARTING POSITION

Couples in Varsouvienne position* or groups with arms linked in lines.

MEASURES

(1) Place left heel diagonally forward left (1 and), step on left foot next to right (2 and),

(2) Touch right toe in back (1 and), touch right two in place next to left foot (2 and),

(3) Place right heel diagonally forward right (1 and), step on right foot next to left (2 and),

(4) Please left heel diagonally forward left (1 and), bend left knee and bring left foot across in front of right ankle (2 and).

(5-8) Four two-steps or polka steps forward starting with left foot free.

(*Varsouvienne position: partners facing in same direction with woman to right and slightly in front of partner, hands held a little above shoulder height. Man holds woman's left hand in his left and reaches across her back to hold her right hand in his right.)

Note: start in small groups and add others to line. Try the dance in a single file "conga line".

Data page: https://www.ceder.net/recorddb/viewsingle.php?RecordId=9013
Cue sheet: https://www.ceder.net/recorddb/cuesheet.php?RecordId=9013
Lyrics:    https://www.ceder.net/recorddb/lyrics.php?LyricsId=2569