Traditional songs for wedding?

Subject: Traditional songs for wedding?
From:
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 09:26 PM

Good evening, I have been asked to sing a song at my best friend's wedding. I am wondering if there are any suggestions? Any suitable traditional folk songs spring to mind? I would REALLY appreciate some emails with chords and lyrics. Thank you VERY much!

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Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: curmudgeon
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 09:39 PM

"Blythsome Bridal is wonderful if you have enough time to sing it. likewise "The Tinker's Wedding." Otherwise, there's "Mairie's Wedding," not really trad but perceived as such.

Happy questing -- Tom

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: Gamine
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 11:44 PM

I have always sung "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof. It is very easy to sing and has sweet lyrics.

The Wedding Song is a good one, too (I think that is what it is called): Don't know who wrote it, but it has nice lyrics also, though they are pretty traditional:

"well a man will leave his mother and a woman leave her home; they will travel on to where the two will be made one. As it was in the beginning is now until the end. Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again. And there is love. There is love. Well then what's to be the reason for becoming man and wife. Is it love that brings us here or love that brings us life. If loving is the answer, than whose the giving for. Can you believe in something that you've never seen before? Then there is love. There is love"

There are more verses, and I might have some of the words wrong, but that is the idea.

Also, Tis a Gift to Be Simpe is a very easy, very folky tune that almost everyone knows.

There is a beautiful one by Steven Curtis Chapman called "I will be Here". He is a Christian singer, and the song is a bit over done at weddings...but it is gorgeous! And I don't think it is too "god-y". I have the lyrics for it if you want me to post them. I also have the chords. Actually, I have the chords and lyrics to all these if you are interested.

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: GUEST,Oz Rose
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 11:57 PM

How about a traditional English song which goes

Come write ye down ye stars above The man that first created love For I've a diamond in my eye Where all my joys and comforts lie (2X)

Dunno the rest of the words, though, and sorry I can't point you to any other sites that might have 'em. I'm new to this game.

But I can say it's a great song for singing, and everyone can join in on the last line.

OzRose

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 12:04 AM

Found the words to the wedding song -- see http://www.acronet.net/~robokopp/english/wedding.htm

OzRose

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: Barry T
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 01:41 AM

Written by Noel Paul Stookey, The Wedding Song is not traditional... but there is something remarkable about royalties from its performance. Read about it here.

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 02:47 AM

Are we talking about the same "Wedding Song".

"Come Write Me Down" is from the Copper Family

Subject: Lyr Add: COME WRITE ME DOWN / THE WEDDING SONG
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 02:53 AM

Re Oz Rose's post:

In English folk circles we don't consider people properly married until we've sung the Copper family's wedding song to them:

COME WRITE ME DOWN
(THE WEDDING SONG - as published in Bob Copper's "A song for every season")

Come write me down ye powers above,
the man that first created love
For I've a diamond in my eye
where all my joys and comforts lie
Where all my joys and comforts lie

I will give you gold, I will give you pearl
if you can fancy me, dear girl
Rich costly robes that you shall wear,
if you can fancy me, my dear
If you can fancy me my dear.

It's not your gold shall me entice
to leave off pleasures to be a wife
For I don't mean or intend at all
to be at any young man's call
To be at any young man's call.

Then go your way you scornful dame,
since you've proved false I'll prove the same
But I don't care, but I shall find
some other fair maid to my mind
Some other fair maid to my mind.

Oh stay young man, don't be in haste,
you seem afraid your time you'll waste
Let reason rule your roving mind
and unto you I will prove kind
And unto you I will prove kind.

So to church they went the very next day,
and were married by asking as I've heard say
So now that girl she is his wife,
she will prove his comfort day and night
She will prove his comfort day and night.

So now his trouble and sorrow is past,
his joy and comfort has come at last
This girl to him always said nay,
she will prove his comforts night and day
She will prove his comforts night and day

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 02:54 AM

Stookey uses the alternative title of the traditional english song for his song that starts:

"He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts"

Having just looked up the lyrics I'll take the Copper Family any day.

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: Venthony
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 04:28 AM

Ya know, the old four-square hymn "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" is wonderful for a wedding. Look in any old American hymnal.

Just a thought, Tony

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: GUEST,eoin o'buadhaigh
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 07:29 AM

DON'T sing 'The Red Haired Man's Wife' if you or your best friend is superstitious! I sang it (by request)at my cousin's wedding an they broke up not long after. I was warned when I was given the song NOT to sing it at a wedding as it always brings bad-luck!

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 03:46 PM

Or "Sorry the Day I was married" (which I sang at the do after my wedding ....)

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 04:03 PM

A few fiddle tunes always go well. "Haste to the Wedding", "Tripping Upstairs", "The Four-poster Bed" and "Slip it in Easy"

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: An Croenen
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 04:06 PM

If you know the couple well, you could also write new lyrics to an existing tune, with an easy refrain to which everybody sings along. I did this once with the song Ain't misbehaving, which isn't a folk song at all, but works well, because every body knows the real lyrics even if you're not singing them, which makes it funny. Just a thought. Consider songs like Irish Molly (upbeat song along the lines of 'you may have heard rumours that I want you for your money, but that's not true, quite tongue in cheek), which I found in a publication "100 Irish Ballads", with words, music and chords, and including a cd with 90 songs. (1997, ISBN 1 85720 011 X). Or a romantic, proper love song to bring on the 'arhh' effect. There must be some that don't end tragically, surely;) Good luck and enjoy! An

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 04:07 PM

Run, don't walk, if the bride requests Frankie and Johnny.

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: DougR
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 04:13 PM

Forty years ago in the U. S., no wedding in my part of the country was complete without the singing of "The Lord's Prayer," "Because," or "I Love You Truly." I'd be surprised if that is the case today though.

DougR

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: wilco
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 06:39 PM

"It Takes a Worried man" as the crowd awaits the bride "25 Minutes to Go" for the groom's meditation "A Walk to the Gallows" as she comes up the aisle. "Prisoners Blues" and "Ball and Chain" as they leave I would also put some new lyrics to Hank William's song: "I'll never get out of this world alive."

Keep your vehicle running in the parking lot, and don't take any insturments that would impede a hasty retreat.

You're welcome!!!!!

Wilco in Tennessee.

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: Bennet Zurofsky
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 04:07 PM

An excellent, traditional song for a wedding, that is what was requested was it not, comes from the Copper Family, but not the one mentioned above. Try their song which begins, "When Adam was first created, and Lord of the Universe crowned . . ." It speaks of how man is incomplete without a mate and makes a strong statement for full equality between the sexes and in marriage, pointing out that Eve was not made from Adam's head so that she could rule over him, nor was she made from his feet, so he could trample on her, rather she was made from his side, "his equal and partner to be." It also has a lovely melody. The Copper's recorded it on their "Song for Every Season Set," I haven't the full lyrics handy, but I'm sure they are out there somewhere in Mudcat land, perhaps even on this web site.

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: CraigS
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 05:07 PM

May You Never by John Martyn expresses the sentiments most people want at weddings.

Subject: Lyr Add: OLD ADAM (from Bob Copper)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 05:10 PM

Old Adam (Early to Rise - A Sussex Boyhood, Bob Copper

When Adam was first created
And Lord of the universe crowned
His happiness was not completed
Until that a helpmate was found.
He had all things in food that were wanting
To keep and support him in life,
He'd horses and foxes for hunting,
Which some men love more than a wife.

He'd a garden so planted by nature
Men cannot produce in his life,
But yet the all-wise Creator
Still saw that he wanted a wife.
Then Adam he lay in a slumber
And there he lost part of his side,
And when he awoke with a wonder,
He beheld his most beautiful bride.

In transport he gazed upon her,
His happiness now was complete,
He praised his beautiful donor,
Who had thus bestowed on him a mate.
She was not took out of his head,sir,
To reign and to triumph o'er man;
Nor was she took out of his feet, sir,
By man to be trampled upon.

But she was took out of his side, sir,
His equal and partner to be,
But as they're united in one, sir
The man is the top of the tree.
Then let not the fair be despised
By man, as she's part of himself,
For woman by Adam was prized
More than the whole world full of wealth.

Man without woman's a beggar,
Suppose the whole world he possessed;
And the beggar that's got a good woman
With more than the world he is blest.

Subject: RE: Traditional songs for wedding?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 05:41 PM

Not sure what it's called but a Lancy wedding song starts

It corn't be 'elped it corn't be stopped
when all is dun and sed.
Warever comes warever goes young folks keeps gettin' wed
Owd folks may kindly caution 'em
and marriage woes proclaim
But young 'em teks no 'eed on 'em
they just gets wed aw't same.

I'm sure I've got the words somewhere but let me know if you want them before I go to visit the attic...;-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: Lyr Add: THE ROSEVILLE FAIR (Bill Staines)
From: Kate
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 06:52 PM

How about the Andy Cutting and Chris Wood version on Roseville Fair. It's such a magical song:

THE ROSEVILLE FAIR
(Bill Staines)

Oh, the night was clear, and the stars were shining
And the moon came up so quiet in the sky.
And the people gathered 'round and the band was a'tuning.
I can hear them now playing "Coming Thru the Rye."

And we danced all night to the fiddle and the banjo.
Their drifting tunes seemed to fill the air.
So long ago, but I still remember
When we fell in love at the Roseville Fair.

You were dressed in blue, and you looked so lovely,
Just a gentle flower of a small town girl.
You took my hand, and we stepped to the music.
And with a single smile, you became my world.

We courted well, and we courted dearly,
And we'd rock for hours in the front porch chair
Then a year went by from the time that I met you
And I made you mine at the Roseville Fair

So here's a song for all of the lovers,
And here's a tune that they can share
May they dance all night to the fiddle and the banjo
The way we did at the Roseville Fair.