Strip the willow

How the dance moves

Dancers stand in rows with gentlemen facing ladies. Four couples form a starting set. The top couple links arms and spins for sixteen counts. The lady then walks down the line of men. She swings left-handed with one partner and right-handed with another. The gentleman stays with his own partner during this descent. At the bottom, they spin together for eight counts. The roles then reverse as the gentleman moves up the line of ladies. They repeat these patterns until the music ends.

Music and origins

The dance uses the melody known as Drops of Brandy. Manuscripts from 1734 show early versions of this tune. David Young recorded it in the Drummond Castle collection. Later, O'Neill published it in his 1907 book on Irish dance music. The steps match the tempo of the song. Dancers use the music length to decide how many times they cycle through the set.

Regional variations

Some groups perform an Orcadian version of the dance. This style works best in very long sets. Every fourth or fifth couple strips downwards while others move upward. Couples wait at the top before starting again. Modern ceilidhs often place this dance near the end of the evening. It serves as a final energetic movement before singing Auld Lang Syne.

How Strip the willow is kept

Dancers arrange themselves in longways sets with four couples. The top pair links arms and spins for sixteen beats. The lady then moves down the line of men, alternating swings with different partners. The gentleman remains with his own partner. They meet at the bottom for eight beats. The gentleman then moves up the line of ladies using similar steps. The couple repeats this pattern until the music stops.

When and where

It falls at ceilidh gatherings whenever the musicians play Drops of Brandy. There is no fixed calendar date. Groups choose it based on the energy of the room and the length of the song.

It belongs to Scottish and Irish social dance traditions. It appears at ceilidhs across both nations. The Orcadian variation is specific to Orkney. Many modern groups keep the standard longways format.

What Strip the willow means

The dance emphasizes community connection and partnership. Moving through the set ensures everyone interacts with multiple neighbors. The spinning creates a shared rhythm among all participants. It builds group cohesion without requiring complex memorization.

Questions people ask about Strip the willow

See also

Morris danceA rhythmic English folk dance performed in costume with bells, sticks and handkerchiefsChristmas carolFestive songs and hymns sung during the Christmas season and door to doorSean-nós danceAn improvised solo Irish dance: low footwork, free arms and a loud battering beatIrish traditional musicA living folk practice of dance tunes, airs, songs and communal pub sessions

Good reading and sources

• Strip the willow on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-13.