Contra Dance Etiquette for the Guys

by Noah VanNorstrand

Video by Dave Pokorney from Contradancers Delight Holiday. Lyrics provided by Noah VanNorstrand himself.

Contra Dance Etiquette For The Guys
It’s my hope you memorize
All that I have got to say
Contra dance in a respectable way
Contra dance etiquette for the guys
It’s my hope you realize
When you’re dancing with a girl
You gotta think about more than the next twirl

First up on the docket is the older guys
Don’t worry I’m gettin’ to the younger guys
You guys are supposed to be wise, so I’m surprised
What I see happenin’ with my own eyes
Lets say you’re dancing with a girl who’s pretty and young
You think “It’s just contra dancing, I can flirt with this one”
DAAAAMN dawg, what’s wrong with you, son?
She’s fifteen and you’re sixty-one!
Don’t worry, I’m not saying you’re a pedophile
But, put on her shoes and walk around for a couple miles
What, you find may not be so kind
Old sweaty guys just might not be your style!

Doesn’t matter with whom you’re dancing
Old or young, a newbie or veteran
Stop acting like you’re broke on a payday
Grow up and respect the ladies!

Contra Dance Etiquette For The Guys
It’s my hope you memorize
All that I have got to say
Contra dance in a respectable way
Contra dance etiquette for the guys
It’s my hope you realize
When you’re dancing with a girl
You gotta think about more than the next twirl

All right younger guys, it’s your turn!
I’m gonna make your ego crash and burn
You think everyone’s in love with you well I got news for you!
It ain’t all about you, when you gonna learn to dance
Best for your partner
Best for your hands-four
Best for the whole line
Best for the entire floor
That’s the golden rule that you should live for
Stop treatin’ common sense like it’s a damn chore!
Go ahead, call me old-fashioned
But dippin’ a girl without asking is lacking compassion
I’ve seen elbows crashing
into heads that are bashing
Into the floor…what for?
Just so that you can be the hottest guy on the dance floor?

Doesn’t matter with whom you’re dancing
Old or young, a newbie or veteran
Stop acting like you’re broke on a payday
Grow up and respect the ladies!

Contra Dance Etiquette For The Guys
It’s my hope you memorize
All that I have got to say
Contra dance in a respectable way
Contra dance etiquette for the guys
It’s my hope you realize
When you’re dancing with a girl
You gotta think about more than the next twirl

You got your Ashe-villains tearin’ up the scene
But you make contradancing look a little obscene
You got your West Coast, being all cool
But you can’t dance Money Musk at Dancin’ Fool
Got your Greenfield, Cambridge, I’m your biggest fan
But you can seem a little snobby in New England
I love the dance community, it’s got a hold on me
So fellas, let’s make it better – who’s with me?

Contra Dance Etiquette For The Guys
It’s my hope you memorize
All that I have got to say
Contra dance in a respectable way
Contra dance etiquette for the guys
It’s my hope you realize
When you’re dancing in long lines
You’ve got to get her there on time

Contra Dance Etiquette For The Guys
It should not be a surprise
Keep your hand off of her butt
Thank you very much

Contra dance etiquette for the guys
It’s my hope you memorize, realize, memorize