Junior Rasmussen
The 1981 film Excalibur, an adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, features a wedding song during the scene in which Arthur marries Guinevere in a woodland ceremony. The music featured during the wedding ceremony is a very short composition by the film's composer, Trevor Jones, known as the Wedding Chant. The Wedding Chant is performed like a Gregorian Chant and is based on the Christian Kyrie Eleison, an old piece with Greek and Latin history. The lyrics of the Wedding Chant are as follows: Benedicte Iesu Christe (x2) Christé eléison, Kýrie eléison (x2) Kýrie eléison, Christé eléison (x2) Amen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the song | The Wedding |
| Composer | Trevor Jones |
| Lyrics | Benedicte Iesu Christe (x2) Christé eléison, Kýrie eléison (x2) Kýrie eléison, Christé eléison (x2) Amen |
| Duration | 1:05 |
| Inspiration | Christian Kyrie Eleison |
| Style | Gregorian Chant |
| Film | Excalibur |
| Year | 1981 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Wedding Song in Excalibur is Trevor Jones' Wedding Chant
- The Chant is based on the Christian Kyrie Eleison
- The lyrics include: Benedicte Iesu Christe and Christé eléison
- The film Excalibur features other notable songs like Igrayne's Dance, Merlin's Spell, and Lancelot and Guinevere
- The official soundtrack only offers a snippet of The Wedding
The Wedding Song in Excalibur is Trevor Jones' Wedding Chant
The 1981 film Excalibur, an adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory's classic novel Le Morte d'Arthur, features a wedding song during the scene where Arthur marries Guinevere in a woodland ceremony. The music featured during the wedding ceremony is a very short composition by the movie composer Trevor Jones, known as the "Wedding Chant".
The official soundtrack only offers a snippet of "The Wedding", whereas a lengthier and more vocal version is used in the film. The lyrics to this version are as follows:
> Benedicte Iesu Christe (x2)
> Christé eléison, Kýrie eléison (x2)
> Kýrie eléison, Christé eléison (x2)
> Amen
The chanting in the "Wedding Chant" is from the Christian Kyrie Eleison, an old piece with Greek and Latin history. It is a liturgical chant that has been rendered with Celtic-like music. Trevor Jones is known for his Celtic links.
The music of Excalibur, including the Wedding Chant, created a lasting impression on its audience, with the film proving to be a landmark in the fantasy genre.
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The Chant is based on the Christian Kyrie Eleison
The Wedding Chant, composed by Trevor Jones for the film Excalibur (1981), is based on the Christian Kyrie Eleison, an ancient liturgical chant with Greek and Latin origins. The transliteration of the chant is "Lord/Christ have mercy".
The Wedding Chant is performed in the style of a Gregorian Chant and is set to orchestral music with Celtic influences. While the official soundtrack of Excalibur only includes a brief excerpt of the song, a longer and more vocal version is featured in the film during the wedding ceremony of Arthur and Guinevere.
The lyrics to the extended version of the Wedding Chant, as heard in the film, are as follows:
> Benedicte Iesu Christe (x2)
> Christé eléison, Kýrie eléison (x2)
> Kýrie eléison, Christé eléison (x2)
> Amen
The Kyrie Eleison, which translates to "Lord have mercy" or "Lord, pity," was part of the Latin Mass. It is a well-known Christian chant with a long history and has been adapted and performed in various ways.
The Wedding Chant by Trevor Jones is an atmospheric and orchestral interpretation of the traditional Kyrie Eleison, adding a unique and memorable element to the Excalibur soundtrack.
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The lyrics include: Benedicte Iesu Christe and Christé eléison
The 1981 film Excalibur, an adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory's classic novel Le Morte d'Arthur, features a wedding song during the scene in which Arthur marries Guinevere in a woodland ceremony. The song, known as "The Wedding Chant", was composed by Trevor Jones and is performed in the style of a Gregorian Chant. The lyrics include: "Benedicte Iesu Christe" and "Christé eléison".
The full lyrics, as they appear in the film, are as follows:
> Benedicte Iesu Christe (x2)
> Christé eléison, Kýrie eléison (x2)
> Kýrie eléison, Christé eléison (x2)
> Amen
The "Kyrie Eleison" is an old Christian liturgical chant with Greek and Latin origins, translating to "Lord/Christ have mercy". The inclusion of this chant in the wedding song reinforces the solemnity and sacredness of the marriage ceremony.
The "Wedding Chant" is not the only musical aspect of the film that has gained recognition. The official soundtrack includes a piece titled "The Wedding", which is a shorter version of what is featured in the film. Other notable pieces from the Excalibur soundtrack include "Theme from Excalibur", "Igrayne's Dance", "Merlin's Spell", and "Lancelot and Guinevere", composed by Richard Wagner. The music in Excalibur has been praised for its impact and for enhancing the film's exploration of well-known Arthurian themes such as love, betrayal, truth, honour, and the quest for enlightenment.
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The film Excalibur features other notable songs like Igrayne's Dance, Merlin's Spell, and Lancelot and Guinevere
The 1981 film Excalibur features a range of notable songs and compositions in its soundtrack, including Igraynes Dance, Merlins Spell, and Lancelot and Guinevere. These pieces enhance the film's scenes and contribute to its overall atmosphere and tone.
Igraynes Dance, also spelled Igrayne's Dance, is a pivotal moment in the film. It occurs during a truce between the warring clans of England, specifically between Uther and Cornwall. Uther becomes obsessed with Cornwall's lady, the dancer Igrayne, and the dance escalates as his passion intensifies, mirroring the growing tension between the warlords. The composition is predominantly played on the lute and mandolin, creating a distinctive style that composer Trevor Jones would later echo in his work for "The Dark Crystal."
Merlin's Spell, composed by Trevor Jones, adds to the mystical and magical elements of the film. Merlin, the sorcerer, plays a crucial role in the story, and his theme music likely reflects his enigmatic and powerful nature.
Lancelot and Guinevere, composed by Richard Wagner, captures the passion and intensity of the illicit relationship between the two characters. Wagner's Prelude to the opera "Tristan and Isolde" is used not only for their meeting in the woods but also for Lancelot's death, conveying the enduring emotion of their connection.
In addition to these notable songs, Excalibur's soundtrack features a variety of other compositions, including "The Wedding," "Camelot," "A Dance at the Court of King Arthur," and "The Death of Arthur," each contributing to the epic tale of King Arthur and the legendary Excalibur.
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The official soundtrack only offers a snippet of The Wedding
The 1981 film Excalibur, an adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, features a wedding scene between King Arthur and Guinevere. The music during the wedding ceremony is a short composition by Trevor Jones, called the "Wedding Chant". The official soundtrack only offers a snippet of "The Wedding", while a lengthier and more vocal version is featured in the film. This version includes chanting from the Christian Kyrie Eleison, an old piece with Greek and Latin history. The lyrics of this longer version are as follows:
> Benedicte Iesu Christe (x2)
> Christé eléison, Kýrie eléison (x2)
> Kýrie eléison, Christé eléison (x2)
> Amen
The "Wedding Chant" is performed in the style of a Gregorian Chant and is accompanied by Celtic-like music. The film Excalibur is known for its impressive and memorable music, which has left a lasting impression on audiences.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding song in Excalibur is called "The Wedding". The music featured during the wedding ceremony is the composer Trevor Jones' composition known as the "Wedding Chant".
The lyrics to the wedding song in Excalibur are:
Benedicte Iesu Christe (x2)
Christé eléison, Kýrie eléison (x2)
Kýrie eléison, Christé eléison (x2)
Amen.
The wedding song in Excalibur is based on the Christian Kyrie Eleison, an old piece with Greek and Latin history. It is a liturgical chant that has been rendered with Celtic-like music.
Other songs in the Excalibur soundtrack include "Theme from Excalibur", "Igrayne's Dance", "Merlin's Spell", "The Lady of the Lake", "Lancelot and Guinevere", "Camelot", "King of the Round Table", "Quest for the Holy Grail", and "The Death of Arthur".
