Wedding hymn recommendation?

coolcait

I'm glad the OP has decided on the hymns he wants for his wedding, and wish him all the best!

It's been interesting to see the different opinions on 'good' wedding hymns. And it doesn't seem to be just about personal opinion.

I have no idea why poor Torry Quine has been so slated on this thread, just for offering an opinion like everyone else.

She and I have been on the opposite side in various discussions. I know that she and I have been brought up in different strands of christianity. Yet, I completely agree with the points she has made about various suggestions.

So, maybe the differences in experiences are due to regional variation, rather than religious persuasion.

I have very rarely heard 'Jerusalem' sung in a Scottish church, of any denomination. Twice, to be exact. In a fairly long and ecumenically rich life...

'Those in Peril on the Sea'? Only only the telly. Same goes for 'I vow to Thee my Country'.

'All things Bright and Beautiful' was something we sang at primary school only; not when we were older, and never in church. Same goes for 'Morning has Broken'.

Like meritaten, I associate 'How Great Thou Art' with funerals rather than weddings. Is that a celtic connection, coincidence, or something else?

'Amazing Grace', I've heard at wedding, funerals, and church services in general. My heart sinks every time I see it in the order of service, because so many people turns into cats when they sing the line which goes '..saved a wreeetch liiiiiiike meeeeeeeeeeeeeee'. I include myself in that number . I'd far rather listen to it sung properly by a soloist or choir!

I like the OP's hymn choices for a wedding. If he likes the tune for 'Morning has Broken', or is looking for a hymn where everyone know the tune, and then 'Christ be Beside Me' has the same score. The words aren't particularly 'weddingy' though.

But, as I said at the beginning - all the best to the OP for the wedding!

danielsonstar

Christ be Beside Me is a nice hymn like. I however have finally got my 3 hymns noted down, I shan't change them.

Btw that hymn use to get played in my time at secondary school. Jeez my schools use to play good tune hyms.

Yorkie1

My Dad always smiles inwardly when he's asked to play Dear Lord and Father of Mankind at a wedding.

Yes, it's a great hymn which lots of people know, but the second line is "Forgive our foolish ways" !!

coolcait

Yorkie1 wrote: »

My Dad always smiles inwardly when he's asked to play Dear Lord and Father of Mankind at a wedding.

Yes, it's a great hymn which lots of people know, but the second line is "Forgive our foolish ways" !!

Think that's bad?

Imagine the funeral, at a crematorium, where the final hymn was 'Colours of Day'!







[If you don't know it, google it, and see the opening lines of the chorus] :eek:

This actually happened. As told to me by a good friend of a friend of a friend

msb5262

I HATE Colours of Day with a (slightly obsessive) passion - it's the best ever example of mixed metaphors. Grrrrr!

meritaten

a young neighbour of mine chose as his funeral hymn 'Another one bites the Dust'! the vicar looked bemused as the congregation cracked up laughing! but then - he requested his family wore his footballs teams strip - it was a bit bizarre, but I know how much fun he had arranging his funeral.

coolcait

msb5262 wrote: »

I HATE Colours of Day with a (slightly obsessive) passion - it's the best ever example of mixed metaphors. Grrrrr!

Eminently hummable though.

Unfortunately, in the funeral story I was told, the opening metaphor in the chorus sounded more like an instruction to the backstage team.

onlyroz

Just go for something happy and jolly that people will know the words to. Nothing worse than being forced to mumble along to some boring old tune that you've never heard of.

And at least if it's loud then those who don't want to sing won't feel so self-conscious.

Ms_Chocaholic

Whatever you do, make sure that the hymn is well known otherwise no-one will be able to sing it, properly.

We had All Things Bright and Beautiful, can't remember the other one at the moment but will post again if I do.

Dunroamin

fluffnutter wrote: »

Oh, God's own chosen one has deigned to comment. Perhaps you've never been to many weddings.

I have to say, they're both very much children's hymns and I would agree with TQ, not terribly suitable for a wedding. Don't take it personally.