*S is for Song. So? A song with a life independent of whatever dance it may be attached to. Why that’s important is explained here.
Start watching at the 4 minute mark
A brief version of how Hava Nagila came to be can be found in Hora – Jewish and Israeli dance under Living Dances. For more details, see below.
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/hava-nagilas-long-strange-trip/http://www.aish.com/jw/s/Hava-Nagilah-The-Story-behind-the-Quintessential-Jewish-Song.html
Folkdance Footnotes 