Help: Irish wedding song

Subject: Lyr/Tune Add: THE IRISH WEDDING SONG
From: Distressed Lass
Date: 01 Jun 99 - 12:31 PM

Hi,

I am trying to find either a recording or sheet music of this particular song I found on the net. I can't get my computer to convert the ABC notation given. I haven't had much luck so far, can someone help me? I really want to play it at my wedding. I've copied the words and ABC notation here:

THE IRISH WEDDING SONG
(Ian Betteridge)

Here they stand hand in hand
they've exchanged wedding bands
Today is the day of their dreams and their plans,
and all we who love them just wanted to say.
May God bless this couple who married today

In good times and bad times in sickness and health
may they know that riches are not needed for wealth
and help them face problems they'll meet on their way
Oh god bless this couple who married today

May they find peace of mind comes to all who are kind
May the rough times ahead become triumphs in time
May their children be happy each day
Oh God bless this family who started today

As they go may they know every love that was shown
And as life it gets shorter may their feelings grow
Wherever they travel wherever they stay
May God bless this couple who married today

-----Ian Betteridge


ABC Notation
X:1
T:Irish Wedding Song
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:D
F>G|:A4 F>G|A4 Bc|d4 cB|A4 z d|!
d4 c>B|A4 z d|d2c3d|e4 z f|f2 f3 f|!
e2 d3 d|d2 c3 B|A4 z d|d2 c3 B|A2 d3 g|!
f2 c3 e|d6-|d4 z A|A2 e3 e|e2 c3 d|!
d2 G3 B|A4 z A|A2 e3 e|e2 d3 d|d2 c3 d|!
e6|f2 f3 f|e2 d3 d|d2 c2 B2|A4 z d|!
d2 c3 B|A2 d3 g|f2 c3 e|d4 z d|d2 c3 B|!
A2 d3 g|f2 c3 e|1d4 F>G:|2d6||

% ABC2Win Version 2.1 1/17/98

Subject: RE: Irish wedding song
From: MMario
Date: 01 Jun 99 - 01:26 PM

Assuming your ABC was accurate, I could e-mail you a picture of the score and/or a midi of the song.

you can contact me via [e-mail] with an e-mail address

MMario

Subject: RE: Irish wedding song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Jun 99 - 02:40 PM

I added line breaks to the lyrics and the tune, so the ABC should work right now. Click here to get to our previous thread on the song, which says you can get sheet music from Rego, and a recording from Andy Cooney. Hope that helps.
Would it be irreverent of me to say that this song sounds more "country" than "Celtic" to me?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Irish wedding song
From: Terry
Date: 01 Jun 99 - 07:10 PM

You can find this song on "The Wedding Song Collection" published by Rego Records. You can order it (tape-$12.95; CD-$19.95) from Abbey Green in West Chester, Pa., USA, by phoning [phone].

Subject: RE: Irish wedding song
From: Distressed Lass
Date: 02 Jun 99 - 10:32 AM

Thanks to all of you for all the information! This is wonderful! I'll certainly follow up on all your suggestions.

Subject: RE: Irish wedding song
From: Distressed Lass
Date: 02 Jun 99 - 11:16 AM

Mario, I am not able to contact you through the email you gave... it bounced back..?

Subject: RE: Irish wedding song
From: MMario
Date: 02 Jun 99 - 11:26 AM

sorry - my mistake. (I don't use the account often for "incoming")

it's:

[e-mail]

MMario

Subject: RE: Irish wedding song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Oct 02 - 01:53 AM

As far as I can tell, this song was written by Ian Betteridge in 1976 - can anybody confirm that?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Irish wedding song
From: belfast
Date: 13 Oct 02 - 08:51 AM

At the risk of seeming obsessed with trivia the ABC notation above gives the meter as 4/4. It's actually 3/4. This doesn't make any difference to the midi playback - just makes the sheet music confusing. I've only just learned this stuff so I probably am a bit obsessive. Nice song though.

Subject: RE: Irish wedding song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Oct 02 - 06:06 PM

Thanks, Belfast. I tried it in ABCMUS, and the time signature DID make a difference. I canged it to 3/4 and converted it to a MIDI, but it still doesn't sound quite right to me. If comebody can come up with a better MIDI, let me know.
-Joe Offer-

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 07:16 PM

Joe Offer: If you search for "Irish Wedding Song" at AMG/All Music Guide, you'll see it's attributed to someone named "Betteridge."

If you look at Ian Betteridge's web site (He's an Australian country music singer-songwriter.), you'll see that he claims credit for a popular song called "The Wedding Song." (I'm pretty sure it's the same song and it acquired the title "The Irish Wedding Song" through the folk process. He also says it was used in the Hollywood movie "Blown Away", but I couldn't find any confirmation of this at my favorite movie site, The Internet Movie Database (IMDb).

There's a midi on this page, but I think the text there has some errors. Click to play.

I concur with the sentiments expressed on this page.

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Nov 02 - 11:56 PM

Hi, Jim - I think that MIDI seems much more reliable than the one we have. Is there somebody who really knows this song, who can verify that? The information Jim found seems to be pretty good verification that Betteridge is our man. Thank you very much, Jim.
I asked my wife what she thought of the song, and she called it "lovely." I said I thought it was overly sentimental, and she informed me that I "just don't understand" because I'm a man, and that the song is actually "gorgeous." Now she read what I wrote and demanded that I quote her exactly before I hit the "submit" button.
Nothing like a good, romantic song to get a man in trouble...
-Joe Offer-

---

Here's contact information for the songwriter:
Ian Betteridge
Ian Betteridge Enterprises
P.O. Box 144,
Terrigal.   NSW    2260
Australia.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: GUEST,deadtired
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 06:23 PM

This song can be found on a cd of Daniel oDonnell

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 06:13 PM

The song was also recorded by Tony Kenny. It is track #4 on the CD "Tony Kenny's Ireland". The midi file sounds relatively accurate, although Tony sings it a bit slower. He personally autographed the CD for me. I am the charter manager for the bus company that does all of Tony's tours whenever he is on this side of the pond. SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: GUEST,Daniel O' Donald
Date: 10 Mar 08 - 11:55 PM

God Bless This Couple

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 01:13 AM

Joe - at the risk of being controversial, I too found it sentimental, and nothing like gorgeous (it's Leonard Cohen who's gorgeous). :)

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 01:54 PM

Sue, that was very diplomatic. Others might say the song sucks. Of course even the tune-challenged are entitled to their choice of wedding music, so we'll just stay out of earshot while they enjoy it.

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: Big Mick
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 02:40 PM

I am with the both of you on this. Years ago I was looking for an Irish Wedding Song, and when I heard this one I couldn't figure out how that was the case. Put me in that group with those that might think it sucks. But if someone wants it sung at their big day, I guess I will knuckle down and find the way.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: *#1 PEASANT*
Date: 11 Mar 08 - 02:47 PM

You will find sound file link and lyrics on my
Traditional Irish Wedding Page

Note that there is a link to my book- Guide to the Traditional Irish Wedding on the page. That has a large number of tunes and songs considered traditional for Irish weddings. Well worth the cost as a reference second to none at least that is what I am told. If you only know how to play Irish polkas with this book you can prepare well for the Irish Wedding...lots of other traditions as well. Much more in the book than on the web page....

http://mysite.verizon.net/cbladey/wedding/Iwed.html

to the wedding page

Have fun....

Conrad

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: GUEST,Colin
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 11:04 AM

I need an easy guitar chord layout for this song??

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: GUEST,seoltamusic
Date: 26 Feb 09 - 10:34 AM

Sheet music for this song (piano/guitar chords) is now available from www.seoltamusic.com

Subject: RE: Help: Irish wedding song
From: GUEST,pat
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 05:07 PM

Heard it on UTUBE by a soloist and tune sounded like the Country Song of 'Can I have this dance for the rest of my life.'