This dance is seen in a very wide variety of versions, and is very old. It is also known as "Three Sheepskins" and just "Sheepskins". It is believed to have originated in Leominster, and is mentioned in an early edition of Playford. The Sheepskins hey appears in other dances, not all of them Morris.
I learnt this from a workshop that Flag Crackers of Craven held in 1991, to teach the core members of the newly-formed Clerical Error. Although originally it was a clapping dance, it can also be performed with hankies. I prefer it as a clapping dance, as it makes it different to others, and can be performed with no kit; no, not in the nude, although now I think of it, that could add to its appeal. It is an ideal dance that can be performed in confined spaces or out in the open. Although initially it takes a bit of getting used to, once team members have learnt it, they can relax and enjoy performing it. It is fun, especially when performed informally.
Click
on this to see a clip which starts with a team who I was too drunk to remember,
then Clerical Error on TV and then at Loggerheads Park. (18MBytes), or right-click and "Save Target As" to save it to your
machine
- Set
- Six dancers in two rows facing in, with three hats in the middle. Clapping dance. Those not dancing, clap.
- Music
- Three Jolly Black Sheepskins - (A)12 bars. A+12 bars B for chorus
Calls 
- HEY AROUND HATS
- LEAD OFF LEFT
- LEAD OFF RIGHT
- HEY AROUND HATS
- RIGHT SHOULDERS
- HEY AROUND HATS
- LEFT SHOULDERS
- HEY AROUND HATS
- LINKED HEY
- Chorus
- ODDS lead off for hey around hats. When the third dancer reaches the middle hat the
first time, he turns around it. When the second dancer reaches the middle hat the second,
he turns around it. When the first reaches the middle hat the third time, he turns around
it. Head back to position in 16 steps.
Odds dance round hats to right in 6 steps, and end in three stamps. Meanwhile evens are standing clapping. REPEAT with EVENS, but dance round hats to left. - Lead off left
- ODDS lead off left for 8 steps, turn round and new first in line leads back to stand on opposite side of hat facing out, between hats and other dancers. REPEAT with EVENS.
- Lead off right
- ODDS lead off right for 8 steps, turn round and new first in line leads back to original position.
- Chorus
- ODDS lead off for hey around hats. When the third dancer reaches the middle hat the
first time, he turns around it. When the second dancer reaches the middle hat the second,
he turns around it. When the first reaches the middle hat the third time, he turns around
it. Head back to position in 16 steps.
Odds dance round hats to right in 6 steps, and end in three stamps. Meanwhile evens are standing clapping. REPEAT with EVENS, but dance round hats to left. - Right Shoulders
- ODDS cross right shoulders with partners in 4 steps (surge on the first), 2 steps to the right and 2 backsteps to the hat. Cross left shoulders with partners in 2 steps, 2 steps to the left and 4 backsteps back to original position. REPEAT with EVENS.
- Chorus
- ODDS lead off for hey around hats. When the third dancer reaches the middle hat the
first time, he turns around it. When the second dancer reaches the middle hat the second,
he turns around it. When the first reaches the middle hat the third time, he turns around
it. Head back to position in 16 steps.
Odds dance round hats to right in 6 steps, and end in three stamps. Meanwhile evens are standing clapping. REPEAT with EVENS, but dance round hats to left. - Left Shoulders
- ODDS cross left shoulders with partners in 4 steps (surge on the first), 2 steps to the left and 2 backsteps to the hat. Cross right shoulders with partners in 2 steps, 2 steps to the right and 4 backsteps back to original position. REPEAT with EVENS.
- Chorus
- ODDS lead off for hey around hats. When the third dancer reaches the middle hat the
first time, he turns around it. When the second dancer reaches the middle hat the second,
he turns around it. When the first reaches the middle hat the third time, he turns around
it. Head back to position in 16 steps.
Odds dance round hats to right in 6 steps, and end in three stamps. Meanwhile evens are standing clapping. REPEAT with EVENS, but dance round hats to left. - Linked Hey
- Number 2 leads hey around hats, followed by 1, 4, 3, 6 & 5. As 2 & 1 meet at the end, they hold waists and dance a wide loop left before dancing up the line of hats, one each side still linked, to end dance as they reach thir own hats. Lead off with outside arms raised and hat on EVENS.
