www.silverstarswesterndancers.com
The Lion
Sleeps
Choreographed by Michael John
Sr. & Michael John Jr. (1999)
Description:32 count, 2 wall, beginner line dance
Music:The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Mavericks
Swinging Safari by The Mavericks
Start dancing on lyrics
STEP SLIDES RIGHT, STEP SLIDES
LEFT
1-2 Step right to right side, slide left next to right
3-4 Step right to right side, slide left next to right
(weight remains on right)
5-6 Step left to left side, slide right next to left
7-8 Step left to left, slide right next to left
(weight remains on left)
Optional hand clap on counts 4
and 8
DIAGONAL STEP TOUCHES X 4
9-10 Step forward right at 45 degree angle, touch left
next to right
11-12 Step back left at 45 degree angle, touch right
next to left
13-14 Step back right at 45 degree angle, touch left
next to right
15-16 Step forward left at 45 degree angle, touch right
next to left
Optional finger clicks or claps
on touches
SIDE SHUFFLE & ROCK STEP
TWICE
17&18 Side shuffle
to right on right-left-right
19-20 Rock left behind right, rock forward on right
21&22 Side shuffle
left on left-right-left
23-24 Rock right behind left, rock forward on left
SHUFFLES FORWARD, KICK TURN,
RIGHT KICK BALL CROSS
25&26 Shuffle
forward on right-left-right (optional hand movements below)
27&28 Shuffle
forward on left-right-left (optional hand movements below)
29-30 Kick right foot forward, on left foot pivot 1/2
turn over left shoulder while kicking right foot back
31&32 Kick right
foot forward, step right next to left, step left across right
REPEAT
Optional hand
movements on shuffles forward to coincide with vocal sections where the words
"the lion sleeps tonight" occur (on right shuffle). Place hands
together in 'prayer position'. Place hands on right cheek and bend head down to
the right as though imitating sleeping. On left shuffle, transfer hands to left
cheek, bending head down to the left