Franklin Dean
The Wedding Song, recorded by John Cohen, is a traditional folk song from Peru. It is performed in Spanish and Quechua and is a joyous song about the unification of hearts. The song is relevant to Peru as it is a wedding song that speaks to the unification of all hearts and is a part of the country's vibrant culture and traditions. The song is also known for its inclusion on the Voyager Golden Record, representing South American tradition and evoking human emotion. The Wedding Song is just one aspect of Peruvian weddings, which are known for their vibrant colours, energetic dances, and unique traditions such as la hora loca and the despacho ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language | Quechua, Spanish |
| Genre | Huayno, Araskaska, Marinera |
| Theme | Unification of hearts, a young girl's confusion on her wedding day |
| Traditions | La Hora Loca, despacho, wedding cake pull, engagement party, colorful attire, headdresses |
| Duration | All-day affair, often stretching late into the evening |
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What You'll Learn
- The 'Wedding Song' is a traditional folk song from Peru, sung in Spanish and Quechua
- The song is about a young girl's confusion on her wedding day
- The song was recorded by folk singer and ethnomusicologist John Cohen
- The song was included on the Voyager Golden Record to represent South American tradition
- Peruvian weddings are vibrant, joyful affairs, with music, dance, and colourful outfits influenced by indigenous customs
The 'Wedding Song' is a traditional folk song from Peru, sung in Spanish and Quechua
The Wedding Song, or "Song of Marriage", is a traditional folk song from Peru, sung in Spanish and Quechua. The song is a joyous and infectiously happy celebration of marriage, with a chorus that repeats the phrase "what a fool I was, stupid fool". The song describes a young girl's confusion on her wedding day, with the lyrics: "You took me to church on Sunday; I thought it was time for Mass... When we lit the candles, I thought it was because it was dark... When the rice fell on my head, I thought it was hailing". The song is traditionally performed at weddings and other celebrations in Peru, and it is often accompanied by lively group dances.
The Wedding Song is a perfect example of how Peruvian music is a mix of various influences, including Spanish colonization, which introduced Western strings, and the slave trade, which brought African drums. The distinct sound of Peruvian music comes from the mixing of these rhythms and melodies with Indigenous traditions. The Wedding Song, in particular, showcases the unique structure and sound of the harp, which is considered an indigenous instrument in Quechua communities.
The song has also gained some recognition outside of Peru. It was recorded by folk singer and ethnomusicologist John Cohen, who titled it "Wedding Song" on the Voyager Golden Record. Cohen's recording has usually been attributed to an unknown artist but is now believed to be performed by the "Young Girl of Huancavelica". The recording was recommended by Alan Lomax, who may have chosen it to represent South American tradition and the evocative and human sound of its performance.
The Wedding Song is a beautiful example of Peruvian folk music and its ability to communicate human emotion. It is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Peru and its vibrant and passionate musical traditions. The song continues to be enjoyed and celebrated at weddings and other festivities in Peru, bringing people together in joyous celebration.
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The song is about a young girl's confusion on her wedding day
Peru is known for its rich musical traditions, with a unique blend of Western strings, African drums, and indigenous rhythms and melodies. Among the various traditional songs of Peru, one particular song, commonly known as the "Wedding Song," has gained widespread attention for its inclusion on the Golden Records aboard the Voyager spacecraft. This song, performed by an unknown artist now attributed to "Young Girl of Huancavelica," captures the confusion of a young girl on her wedding day.
The "Wedding Song" is a traditional folk song from Peru, sung in both Spanish and Quechua. The Quechua lyrics of this huayno, a popular form of Andean music, describe the thoughts and emotions of a young girl as she navigates the rituals of her wedding day. The song begins with the girl's recollection of being taken to church on a Sunday, assuming it was for the usual Mass. However, as the ceremony progresses, her confusion becomes apparent.
She describes the lighting of candles, interpreting it as a response to the darkness, and then expresses her surprise as rice is showered over her head, likening it to hail. The chorus of the song, "what a fool I was, stupid fool," reflects her realization of the true nature of the events. The identity of the singer remains unknown, but her youthful perspective adds a layer of poignancy to the performance.
The "Wedding Song" offers a glimpse into the cultural and musical traditions of Peru. It showcases the interplay of indigenous Quechua culture with Western and Christian influences, creating a unique artistic expression. The song's inclusion on the Voyager Golden Record further emphasizes its significance, representing South American traditions and evoking universal human emotions that resonate across time and space.
While the specific details of the young girl's story may vary in different interpretations or translations of the song, the underlying theme of confusion and self-reflection on her wedding day remains a constant thread. This song, with its blend of cultural influences and emotional depth, continues to captivate listeners and preserve a piece of Peruvian heritage for future generations.
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The song was recorded by folk singer and ethnomusicologist John Cohen
John Cohen, the folk singer, ethnomusicologist, and photographer, recorded what has been traditionally titled the "Wedding Song". The song was performed by a young woman in Huancavelica in 1964 and taped by Cohen and his wife, Penny Seeger. Cohen's recording device was a wind-up Magnamite spring-loaded quarter-inch tape, run off a few flashlight batteries. The song was included on the Voyager Golden Record, attached to the Voyager 1 and 2 space probes launched in 1977. The performance was attributed to an unknown artist, but it is now attributed to the "Young Girl of Huancavelica".
Cohen's interest in marginal music, idioms outside the mainstream, such as Native American songs, bluegrass, and cowboy music, led him to make the film 'Musical Holdouts' in 1976. He also made short films about traditional singers like Sara and Maybelle Carter and the English traditional singer Walter Pardon. Cohen was a founding member of the New York-based string band, the New Lost City Ramblers, in the 1950s and 60s. The band introduced young urban folk music fans to the work of rural performers and inspired a generation to investigate old-time music.
Cohen also made several expeditions to Peru to film and record the traditional culture of the Q'ero, an indigenous people. He documented traditional arts in the American South and in Peru and played a major role in the American folk music revival. He was a professor of visual arts at SUNY Purchase College for 25 years and made 17 documentary films. Cohen's photographic inquiries led him to the traditional musicians of the Andes and Appalachia, and his images were used on record covers and served as inspiration for film projects.
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The song was included on the Voyager Golden Record to represent South American tradition
The Voyager Golden Record is a phonograph record that was included aboard the two Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977. The record contains sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth, and is intended for any intelligent extraterrestrial life form who may find them. The contents of the record were selected by a committee chaired by Carl Sagan, and the selection process took almost a year.
The song in question, "Wedding Song", was recorded by folk singer and ethnomusicologist John Cohen. The song is traditionally performed by an unknown artist, now attributed to "Young Girl of Huancavelica". The lyrics of the song are in Spanish and Quechua and describe a young girl's confusion on her wedding day. The inclusion of the song on the Voyager Golden Record was likely due to its representation of South American tradition and its evocative and human sound. The song was one of fifteen musical performances on the record suggested by Alan Lomax, who was contacted by Sagan to help make the musical selections. Lomax had recently finished compiling an anthology of world songs and felt that musical style is reflective of social and economic development.
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Peruvian weddings are vibrant, joyful affairs, with music, dance, and colourful outfits influenced by indigenous customs
Peruvian weddings are a vibrant, joyful affair, with music, dance, and colourful outfits influenced by indigenous customs. The festivities often last all day, stretching late into the evening, and include a mix of Indigenous and Spanish influences, with an emphasis on celebrating family, ancestors, nature, and Catholicism.
The outfits are an essential part of Peruvian wedding culture. In a traditional wedding, the bride wears a woven skirt with many layers, and the groom wears a woven poncho. Occasionally, the couple will both wear ponchos specially made for the wedding, avoiding Western-style attire. The wedding attire is typically multi-coloured, bright, and cheerful, with splashes of blue, pink, red, yellow, violet, and more. Many of the garments feature geometric patterns and ornamental add-ons, with local textiles and styles chosen by the couple.
Music and dance are also central to Peruvian weddings. La Hora Loca, or "the crazy hour", is a Peruvian tradition where, after several hours of eating, drinking, and dancing, the lights are dimmed, the music is turned up, and trays of party toys, like long balloons, are brought out to energize the guests and take the celebration to the next level. The national dance of Peru is the Marinera, which combines Spanish, African, and Indigenous performance traditions.
Peruvian weddings also include several rituals and ceremonies. The despacho, a tradition originating from the Indigenous people in the Andes Mountains, is a sacred ritual where a piece of woven fabric is placed on the ground, and items made from natural materials, such as food, flowers, and coca leaves, are placed on top as an offering to Pachamama, or Mother Earth. This symbolises the relationship between the material and spiritual worlds, between humans and nature. Another ceremony involves the burial of two dolls wrapped in cocoa leaves, along with a tree seed, so that as the tree grows, so does the couple's relationship.
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Frequently asked questions
The Wedding Song is a traditional folk song from Peru, sung in Spanish and Quechua. It is a joyous song about the unification of hearts, with a chorus that says, "What a fool I was, a stupid fool".
The Wedding Song is relevant to Peru as it is a traditional folk song from the country, and it speaks to the unification of hearts, which is a key part of Peruvian wedding ceremonies. The song is also known as "Young Girl of Huancavelica", and it was recorded by folk singer John Cohen for the Voyager Golden Record.
Peruvian weddings are known to be all-day affairs, often stretching late into the evening, with festivities starting as soon as the engagement is announced. The engagement party is held to officially announce the news to friends and family, and before the engagement, the groom traditionally requests permission from the bride's parents to ask for her hand in marriage. At the wedding, the bride usually wears bright colours and a layered skirt, while the groom wears a colourful poncho and a headdress. The ceremony may be followed by a two-day celebration with lots of dancing, and there may be a second meal served late at night to fuel the party.
Peruvian weddings feature a mix of Indigenous, Spanish and African music, reflecting the country's cultural influences. Celebratory songs and group dances are a central part of the festivities. La hora loca ("the crazy hour") is a Peruvian tradition where the music is kicked up a notch to get guests back on the dance floor.
