"Here Comes the Bride," or the "Bridal Chorus" Remains Very Popular

Here Comes the Bride

Here Comes The Bride, or the Bridal Chorus, was written in 1848 by the German composer Richard Wagner and featured in the opera Lohengrin. It is commonly played in English-speaking countries for the bride’s processional. At most weddings, the chorus is played on an organ, without vocals.

here comes the bride

Here are several recordings of this song by a variety of musical ensembles (orchestra, string quartet, harp, organ, piano) to give you an idea of the different sounds.

Few people realize that this song does have actual lyrics in the opera Lohengrin. The wedding party sings the following lyrics to the bride and groom (the hero Lohengrin and his new wife Elsa) (translated from German):

Faithfully guided, draw near
to where the blessing of love shall preserve you!
Triumphant courage, the reward of love,
joins you in faith as the happiest of couples!
Champion of virtue, proceed!
Jewel of youth, proceed!
Flee now the splendour of the wedding feast,
may the delights of the heart be yours!
This sweet-smelling room, decked for love,
now takes you in, away from the splendour.
Faithfully guided, draw now near
to where the blessing of love shall preserve you!
Triumphant courage, love so pure,
joins you in faith as the happiest of couples!

Faithfully guarded, remain behind
where the blessing of love shall preserve you!
Triumphant courage, love and happiness
join you in faith as the happiest of couples.
Champion of youth, remain here!
Jewel of youth, remain here!
Flee now the splendows of the wedding feast,
may the delights of the heart be yours!
This sweet-smelling room, decked for love,
has now taken you, away from the splendour.
Faithfully guarded, remain behind
where the blessing of love shall preserve you!
Triumphant courage, love and happiness
join you in faith as the happiest of couples.

In the opera, the bridal party is helping Lohengrin and his wife undress for their wedding night as they sing this song. Because of this sexually oriented scene, some religious sects have objected to using the Bridal Chorus as a wedding march, most notably Roman Catholics. Lutheran pastors have also objected to the song’s use because of the pagan elements of Wagner’s operas. In addition, Wagner’s music has been identified with Nazi Germany, and is almost never used at Jewish weddings.

Still, this song remains popular for wedding processionals, and is a favorite school yard rhyme:

Here comes the brideAll dressed in white.

Here comes the brideWith the groom by her side.

(And its many silly versions!)

Return to Wedding Ceremony Songs From Here Comes The Bride

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