This handout prepared by Karin Dean-Kraft and Richard Michels, June 1999 for the dance/Jugend/music workshop at the Gaufest in St. Paul, Minnesota

Hirtamadl

Dance Directions - dance is in 2/4 time

Also: Hiatamadl, Hüatamadl, Hirtenmadl, Hirtenmadla = shepherd girl

From Bairische Tanzweisen, a CD with dance instructions, by Sigi Ramstötter and the Teisendorfer Tanzlmusi

Normaler Tanzfassung (ballroom dance hold), facing forward in line of dance, men on inside of circle, women on outside of circle.

Measures

            1-4       Begin with the Aussenfuss (outside foot), taking 8 steps, two per measure. 

5-6       Outside foot - tap pointed toe in front; Inside foot - tap pointed toe in front

7-8       Turn clockwise one revolution, Dreherschritt (pivot step) in place ending back at start position

9-10     Outside foot - tap pointed toe in front; Inside foot - tap pointed toe in front

11-12    Turn clockwise one revolution, Dreherschritt (pivot step) in place ending back at start position

Repeat from Measure 1

From Tanz rüber, tanz nüber: Eine Auswahl fränkischer Tänze, published by the Bayerische Landesverein für Heimatpflege – three variations of the dance

·        In Henfenfeld bei Hersbruck, the dance is called "Hupferter." 

·        In some areas around Dinkelsbühl, it is called "Bauernmadla." 

·        At one time the dance was done only in the southern and eastern parts of Franken but has spread throughout Franken as a result of Trachtenvereine.

Variation #1 - documented by Karl Dippl, learned in Vilshofen & Pleinting between 1917-1922

Measures

1          Outside foot - tap pointed toe (in some areas it is done with the heel) in front; Inside foot - tap pointed toe (in some areas it is done with the heel) in front

2          Turn clockwise one or two revolutions, Dreherschritt (pivot step) in place ending back at start position

Repeat from Measure 1

Variation #2 - documented by Rudolf Weidinger in Pfarrkirchen

Measures

1-2       Outside foot - tap toe to the front; tap toe diagonally left (man)/right (woman); tap toe to the front, then back to starting position.

             3-4       Repeat above with inside foot.

             5-6       Outside foot - tap pointed toe in front; Inside foot - tap pointed toe in front.

7-8       Turn clockwise one revolution, Dreherschritt (pivot step) in place ending back at start position.

             9-12     Repeat measures 5-8

Variation #3 - documented by Georg Vöckersberger in Pauluszell near Velden/Vils

In this variation the dancers are in a Rheinländerfassung – boy slightly behind and to the left of the girl.  Right hands are joined, his wrist rests lightly on the girl's right shoulder.  Left hands are joined and held at about shoulder height.

Measures

1-2       Both with left foot: Tap left pointed toe to the left, to the right, forward, return to starting position.

3-4       Both with right foot:  Tap right pointed toe to the right; to the left; forward, return to starting position.

             5-6       Tap pointed left toe in front; tap pointed right toe in front.

7-8       The man turns counterclockwise in place with the woman takes four walking steps around him, clockwise, ending at beginning position.

             9-12     Repeat meausres 5-8.

Repeat 1-12 again, then play a Waltz.

The lyrics in Franken are:

A Hirtenmadla mog I net, des hat ka schöna Wad'n net, Hali, halo, ei Madla, was sagst do.

Translation: I don't like the girl who tends the flocks, she doesn't have nice calves (her legs), hey, pretty girl, what do you say to that? 

A note on pronunciation: In Franken they say "Madla" (mod-le) vs. "Madl" (mod-el) in other parts of Bayern.

From Altbayrische Tänze aus Hohenpolding (um 1900), published by the Bayerischer Landesverein für Heimatpflege

· The tempo varies depending on the region.  It is between 100 on the metronome, a quiet March tempo (Chiemgau region) to 140, a quick Dreher tempo (in the Aichacher Land). 

· This dance was first seen in Bavaria in about 1900.

· The lyrics shown in this book are slightly different:

A Hiatamadl mag I net; des hat koa dicke Wadl net; hali, halo, schöns Madl was sagst da!

Translation: I don't like the girl who tends the flocks, she doesn't have thick calves, hey, pretty girl, what do you say to that? 

Interesting tidbit:  Heavy calves for both boys and girls was considered very attractive.  Socks were knitted to accentuate the calf muscles; if someone had small calves, socks could be knitted especially thick to make the calves more attractive.

From Handbuch des Deutschen Volkstanzes by Aenne Goldschmidt

This dance is done in all of Bayern, in Böhmerwald, and in the Steyermark (Austria).