Good people, pray heed my petition,
And a story to you I will tell;
A story of love and of honour,
And a story of dancing as well.
A dance of the poor and the gentry,
Of labour and love will arise,
There are no finer ones in the country,
In England or Ireland likewise.

Rapper Sword Dancing originated in the coal-mining regions in the north of England, and may derive from a number of sword-dancing traditions, though its roots are lost in the mists of history. Often danced in pubs and street corners for tips and beer, it sometimes forms part of a larger mummer show, including a "calling-on song", with each dancer portraying a heroic character. Several "traditional" dances have been recorded, but today many teams combine movements from several historical dances with new creations to make new sequences. Speed, precision and complex sword movements are key to the excitement and spectacle of a great rapper performance.