Schunkeln (, ) is the name in the German language used to describe a certain rhythmic movement to the beat of a song, people link arms and sway side to side on the spot. This is done either standing or sitting were people move side to side on their seats via the upper body. Sometimes people will also move backwards and forwards, as well as stand up sit down movements. The word is believed to derive from the German word for an outdoor swing, this being in reference to the similar movement of a swing which is ''Schaukel'' and ''Schunkel'' which is the

Upper Saxon German Upper Saxon (german: Obersächsisch, ; ) is an East Central German language spoken in much of the modern German state of Saxony and in adjacent parts of southeastern Saxony-Anhalt and eastern Thuringia. As of the early 21st century, it's mostl ...

dialect version of the same word. This form of dance is popular in German speaking countries at

Oktoberfest The Oktoberfest (; bar, Wiesn, Oktobafest) is the world's largest Volksfest, featuring a beer festival and a travelling carnival. It is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is a 16- to 18-day folk festival running from mid- or ...

where

volksmusik Alpine folk music (german: Alpenländische Volksmusik; German's ''Volksmusik'' means "people's music" or as a Germanic connotative translation, "folk's music") is the common umbrella designation of a number of related styles of traditional folk ...

and the popular

volkstümliche Musik Volkstümliche Musik (German for "folksy/traditional/popular music") is a modern popular derivation of the traditional ''Volksmusik'' genre of German-speaking regions. Though it is often marketed as ''Volksmusik'', it differs from traditional f ...

is often played. It is also performed by audience members on TV shows such as ''

Musikantenstadl Musikantenstadl is a live television entertainment program broadcast in the German language throughout Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It features Austrian, Swiss, and German popular folk music ( Schlager, Volkstümliche Musik), international ...

''. In English speaking countries such as

Britain Britain most often refers to: * The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands * Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...

it is often referred to as simply ''swaying''; the form of dance would often be performed by audience members in British music halls and later

working men's clubs Working men's clubs are British private social clubs first created in the 19th century in industrial areas, particularly the North of England, Midlands, Scotland and South Wales Valleys, to provide recreation and education for working class me ...

when people would sit together and listen to live entertainment with

popular music Popular music is music with wide appeal that is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. These forms and styles can be enjoyed and performed by people with little or no musical training.Popular Music. (2015). ''Fu ...

, or in pubs. Sometimes the style of movement was taken part in by audience members of ''

Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club ''The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club'' was a British television variety show produced by Granada Television from 1974 to 1977. It was set in a fictional working men's club in the North of England and was hosted by comedian Colin Cromp ...

'' TV show. Commercial German style beer houses also perform the dance with oom-pah style music.

Traditional Schunkel (sway) songs

German

* "So ein Tag so wunderschön wie heute" * "Links, Rechts, Vor, Zurück" * "Trink trink Brüderlein trink" - (shares a similar tune with the English "Down at the Old Bull and Bush") * "Auf und nieder immer wieder" * "Es gibt kein Bier auf Hawaii" * "In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus: Eins, zwei, g'suffa!" * "Herzilein"

English

* "

Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two) "Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)" is a song written in 1892 by British songwriter Harry Dacre with the well-known chorus "Daisy, Daisy / Give me your answer, do. / I'm half crazy / all for the love of you", ending with the words "a bicycle bu ...

" * "Lean forwards, lean backwards, to the left, to the right..." * "

My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean "My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean", or simply "My Bonnie", is a traditional Scottish folk song that is popular in Western culture. It is listed in Roud Folk Song Index as No. 1422. The song has been recorded by numerous artists since the beginning of ...

" * " Did You Ever See a Lassie?" or "

The More We Get Together "The More We Get Together" is a popular English children's song, originally written for a British charitable organisation for children, claimed authorship by Irving King in 1926, based on an old Viennese tune, "Oh du lieber Augustin", like" Did You ...

" * "Hands, knees and boomps a daisy" * "Down at the Old Bull and Bush" * "Oh Oh Antonio" * "She's a lassie from lancashire" * "

Oom-Pah-Pah "Oom-Pah-Pah" is a lively and somewhat risqué show tune with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart and appearing in the 1960 musical '' Oliver!'', when it is sung by Nancy and the crowd at the "Three Cripples" tavern. The word "oom-pah-pah" is seemin ...

" - not traditional, from the musical '' Oliver!'' * " Que Sera, Sera" (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)

References

{{Reflist German folk dances Oktoberfest