WE LIVE in a world of noise. Some of it is outrageously called “music.”

John Playford (1623-1686) was an English music publisher and bookseller who collected the melodies and steps for many English country dances. These lovely dances continue to inspire. Here is one from his enormously popular book, The English Dancing-Master, which originally included 104 dances and tunes set to the fiddle. It went through many subsequent editions and expansions. Country dances of that time usually involved rows of couples walking or skipping energetically through maneuvers, with help from a caller. What a blast that must have been.

This tune, performed by Les Witches, is a perfect May dance, and an antidote to the ugly noise you may have encountered today. Perhaps it will for a few moments erase your cares.

Perhaps you will even imagine yourself dancing.

Anyway, this is as close to rock and roll as you’re going to get here. Here’s another one if you really want to let go.

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