The Kiss: A New English Country Dance

Choreographed by me for my event Jane Austen's 250th Birthday Ball, which I held on December 16, 2025.

If you want to use my introduction and/or choreography, contact me beforehand to tell me about it and then give me credit. :) 

Tune: "The Gael" by Dougie Maclean

Song: "The Kiss" from the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans 

Sheet Music: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1205848/Product.aspx

Note: Instruct the string quartet to play an introduction for honors, because there isn't one in the sheet music.

What I wrote to introduce this dance at my ball but forgot to say

This is our dance for Sense and Sensibility because of Marianne’s passion. I grew up watching the 1995 film and identified more with Marianne than Elinore. This movie is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a return to movie theaters this week. I’m seeing it tomorrow night. Anyone else?

Introduction if you're using my Jane Austen dance list

This is our dance for Sense and Sensibility because of Marianne’s passionate, romantic nature.

The Kiss

Longways proper                                     
Duple minor
Chassé step

Introduction

• Honor your partner.
• Gentlemen bow and Ladies curtsy.

Dance

• 8 beats: Set twice.
• 16 beats: Lead round one couple. 
• First Gentleman passes first Lady on the left, taking her right hand in his left, and leads her clockwise round the second couple to places. The Lady follows behind the Gentleman while he leads round, until he gets to his place, then she comes round the Gentleman and turns into place, which completes the figure.
• 8 beats: First couple join hands and gallop (side chassé) down the middle then up to second place (second couple move up).

Repeat whole dance from progressed position.

Notes: My fictional historical date for this dance is 1757, the year the 1992 movie The Last of the Mohicans is set in and the year the siege of Fort William Henry took place during the French and Indian War, which is depicted in the film. This fort is the setting of the scene when "The Kiss" plays. I created my figure "Lead round one couple," inspired by this scene and the historical figure "Chase round one couple." The song as is from the soundtrack has no introduction and is long enough for eight rounds of the dance. You will need an ASCAP license to use the song at your event if it qualifies as a public performance (check with ASCAP) and your venue doesn't have a blanket license (check with your venue).