This great lyrical song sounds Irish or at least of Celtic origin.

Any idea if it is a traditional Celtic song or of relatively recent composition?

I first heard it recorded by Mel Tillis in 1970. I have the song on a CD "Songs of Love and Life" by The Traditional Grass.

The song is 3/4 meter and here are the lyrics:

The church door was opened as I stepped inside
I went there hoping that she'd change her mind
There were beautiful roses in a bridal bouquet
Where she stood at the alter beneath a veil of white lace

A stranger in silence reached out for her hand
And he placed on her finger a gold wedding band
There was happiness written in the smile on his face
But I couldn't see her's beneath the veil of white lace

I pitied that stranger for all he could see
Was their life together until eternity
My heart filled with anger as I pictured the face
Of a false hearted quitter beneath a veil of white lace

I reached in my pocket when the wedding was done
My hand touched a locket, then it fell on a gun
It shattered the silence as it left its trace
Stains of red crimson on a veil of white lace

I ran from the church house as I threw down the gun
But stopped on the door step for there crossing the lawn
My darling said she had decided to wait
Death to a stranger beneath a veil of white lace

Yes, it's death to a stranger beneath a veil of white lace


From: "Veil of White Lace

Hear a .wav of Mel's rendition

Cruiser