Dance of the Week
El Pastor
(Argentina)
Choreographed by Jim Gold
Dear Dancers and Travelers,
Welcome to our folk dance family!
El Pastor is the Dance of the Week.
Music is from Bulgaria.
Click on the links below.
See A Treasury of International Folk Dances
Written instructions: p 150
(Or see “Read More” below)
Jim Gold dancing El Pastor
Here’s a story written by Jim Gold and classical guitar piece he’s performing.
Story: Swamp Disorder
Song: St. Louie Tickle
Tours: See exciting Folk Tour traveling offerings. Click here
For written dance instructions click on “Read More”
All content created by Jim Gold.
More information contact Jim
Blog history: blog archives
EL PASTOR. . . ARGENTINA. . BULGARIA
Dance Meaning: The Shepherd
Choreography: Jim Gold in international folk dance style
Music: Canto Torres group from Salta, Argentina
Formation: No hands, free form
Meter: 3/4
Mood: Dance of liberation, freedom, Magnificence, worship, El Pastor is the Shepherd.
Jim Gold Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfDkK1uUbGs
Introduction: 3 measures (on 3rd meas draw arms up to T position)
Measures:
FIRST STEP 1
Walk CCW 6 steps
1 Arms T position, R (ct 1), L (ct 2), R (ct 3)
2 L (ct 1), R (ct 2), L (ct 3)
Turn CCW
3 R (ct 1), L (ct 2), R (ct 3)
2 crossing steps, face fwd, arms move down to V position
4 Cross L over R, cross L arm over body (ct 1)
Step on R in place (ct 2), step L next to R (ct 3)
5 Cross R over L (ct 1), cross R arm over body, step L in place (ct 2), step R next to L (ct 3)
Into ctr
6 Step fwd on L ctr (ct 1). fwd on R (ct 2), fwd on L (ct 3)
Arms moving fwd and up, palms face fwd and open, eyes look upward twd sky
Crossing step
7 Arms in T, cross R over L (ct 1), step L in place (ct 2), step R next to L (ct 3)
Moving back
8 Step back on L (ct 1), back on R (ct 2), back on L (ct 3), arms coming down top V position Crossing step
9 Arms V position. Step R next to L (ct 1), cross L over R (ct 2), step R in place (ct 3) .
Draw step
10 Step on L (ct 1), draw R to L, draw arms up to T (ct 2), hold (ct 3)
11 Hold (ct 1-3)
Repeat Step 1 11x
Prelude to ending (long falsetto note)
8-measure FIRST STEP
1-8 Repeat meas 1-8 of FIRST STEP (While singer holds high falsetto note)
Ending
1 R (ct 1), L (ct 2), R (ct 3)
2 L (ct 1), R (ct 2), L (ct 3)
Turn CCW:
3 R (ct 1), L (ct 2), R (ct 3)
1 crossing step, face fwd, arms moving down to V position
4 Cross L over R, swing, cross L arm over body (ct 1)
Step on R in place (ct 2), step L next to R (ct 3)
5 Step fwd on R (ct 1), bring lft next to R( ct 2-3)
6 Hold in place (ct 1-3)
Words in Spanish and English
EL PASTOR
Va el pastor con su rebaño
Al despuntar la manaña
Bajando por el sendero
De la sierra a la pradera
Va musitando sus quejas
Con su flautín de carrizo
Seguido por sus ovejas
Como si fuera un hechizo
El flautín
Del pastor
Ay, ay, ay
Canta así
El pastor ya va de vuelta
Pués el sol se está ocultando
Va subiendo por la cuesta
Para guardar su rebaño
Con su flautín va llamando
Una a una sus ovejas
Y les va comunicando
Sus goces y sus tristezas
El flautín
Del pastor
Ay, ay, ay
Canta así
EL PASTOR
The shepherd goes with his flock
At the break of dawn
Going down through the path
From the mountains to the meadow.
He goes mumbling his complaints
With his little flute
Followed by his sheep
As if it were a spell.
The little flute…
Of the shepherd…
Ay, ay, ay….
Sings this way…
The shepherd is going back,
Since the sun is hiding
He is going up through the slope
To keep watch over his flock.
With his flute he goes calling
One by one his sheep
And he is communicating to them
His joys and his sorrows.
The little flute…
Of the shepherd…
Ay, ay, ay…
Sings this way…