George Boyle
Here Comes the Bride, also known as the Bridal Chorus or Bridal March, is a song often played during the processional at weddings. It is considered a traditional wedding song, but many couples choose to walk down the aisle to other songs. The song was composed by Richard Wagner and first appeared in his 1850 opera Lohengrin. The song gained popularity when it was used in the wedding of Princess Victoria, the daughter of Queen Victoria, in 1858. Despite its popularity, some couples choose to avoid the song due to Wagner's controversial ideologies and the tragic events that follow its appearance in the opera.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Bridal Chorus, Bridal March, Wedding March |
| Original Language | German |
| Original Title | Treulich geführt |
| Opera | Lohengrin |
| Opera Composer | Richard Wagner |
| Opera Librettist | Richard Wagner |
| Opera First Performance | 1850, Weimar |
| Opera First Performance Director | Franz Liszt |
| Popularity | Made popular by Princess Victoria at her 1858 wedding |
| Popularity | Played at many formal weddings throughout the Western world |
| Lyrics | "Here Comes the Bride / All fat and wide; / Where is the groom? / He’s in the dressing room. / Why is he there? / He lost his underwear." |
| Alternative Songs | "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5, "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, "Carry On Wayward Son", "Time is On My Side" by Los Straitjackets, "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Kina Grannis, "Dearly Beloved" from Kingdom Hearts, "Wildflowers" by Tom Petty, "Thursday" by Takenobu, "Take My Hand (The Wedding Song)" by Emily Hackett & Will Anderson, Stardew Valley theme |
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What You'll Learn
The song's history and controversy
The song "Here Comes the Bride", also known as Bridal Chorus or Wedding March, has a long history that dates back to the premiere of German composer Richard Wagner's opera "Lohengrin" in 1850. The opera was first staged in the German city of Weimar under the direction of Hungarian musician and composer Franz Liszt. Throughout the 1850s and 1860s, it was performed across Europe before making its American debut in New York City in 1871.
The song itself appears at the beginning of Act Three of the opera, shortly before the character Elsa, the new bride, starts asking her husband to disclose his true name. Her female wedding party members sing the original German lyrics to this song as they escort the newlywed couple to their bridal chambers. A few moments later, tragic events unfold, leading to the death of both Lohengrin's rival Telramund and, eventually, Elsa, who dies of grief.
Despite these tragic associations, the song became a popular choice for wedding processional music after it was used in the wedding of Victoria, the Princess Royal, to Prince Frederick William of Prussia, in 1858. Victoria was the daughter of Queen Victoria, who was responsible for popularising the trend of white wedding dresses.
However, in modern times, the song has become controversial due to Wagner's darker ideologies and known anti-Semitic views. The composer asserted that Jewish people lacked artistic passion and the ability for intricate, sophisticated musical expression. As a result, most Jewish couples do not play "Bridal Chorus" in their wedding ceremonies, and it is also looked down upon within the Roman Catholic Church and conservative-leaning Christian denominations.
In addition to its controversial history, some people simply find the traditional "Here Comes the Bride" song boring or drab and prefer to walk down the aisle to more modern or personalised choices.
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Lyrics and their variations
The "Bridal Chorus" from the 1850 opera "Lohengrin" by German composer Richard Wagner is commonly known in English-speaking countries as "Here Comes the Bride" or "Wedding March". The opera was first staged in the German city of Weimar under the direction of Hungarian composer and musician Franz Liszt. The song was performed across Europe throughout the 1850s and 1860s before making its American debut in New York City in 1871.
The song's lyrics in English are:
> Here comes the bride
> Here comes the bride
> Here comes the bride
> [Name]
Some people learn alternative lyrics as a joke, for example:
> Here comes the bride, all fat and wide;
> Where is the groom?
> He’s in the dressing room.
> Why is he there?
> He lost his underwear.
In the original German, the lyrics are:
> Treulich geführt; ziehet dahin;
> Ziehet dahin in eure Hallen ein.
> Glück, das die Liebe euch gegeben,
> Glück, das sie euch für immer festigt.
These lyrics translate to:
> Faithful guidance, now leads you there;
> Leads you into your halls.
> May the happiness that love has given you,
> May it be forever firmly united.
The "Bridal Chorus" is usually played on an organ without singing at weddings, but the original German lyrics are sung at the beginning of Act Three in the opera "Lohengrin".
Nowadays, it is less common to use "Here Comes the Bride" at weddings, with many couples choosing alternative songs that are more meaningful to them.
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Alternative songs for the bride's entrance
The traditional "Here Comes the Bride" wedding processional song, also known as the "Bridal Chorus" from the 1850 opera Lohengrin by German composer Richard Wagner, is often considered boring and drab. Many brides opt for unique songs for their entrance, setting a different tone and mood for their wedding.
If you're looking for alternative songs for the bride's entrance, you can consider various options. For a grand entrance, you might want to choose a song with a dramatic and contemporary feel. On the other hand, if you prefer something slower, you can opt for a track that starts off gently and then builds up to a crescendo. Instrumental music can be a great choice, especially if you want to focus on the melody and create a unique atmosphere.
- "Old Pine" by Ben Howard
- "Lullaby" by the Dixie Chicks
- "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness
- "Final Fantasy Main Theme" from the Final Fantasy series
- "Storybook Love" from The Princess Bride
- "Legend of Zelda Main Theme" from The Legend of Zelda series
- "Gymnopédie No. 1" by Erik Satie
- "Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity" by Gustav Holst
- "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Symphony 9
- "Best Friend" by Queen
- "Got to Get You into My Life" by The Beatles
- "Still" by Tamia (instrumental version)
- "The Day Before You" by Rascal Flatts
- "Do You Know Who You Are" by Texas is the Reason (instrumental version)
- "I Choose You" by Sara Bareilles
- "A Thousand Years" by The Piano Guys
- "Just the Way You Are" by The Piano Guys
- "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys
- "Trumpet Voluntary" by Jeremiah Clarke
- "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5
- "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel
- "Wildflowers" by Tom Petty
- "Take My Hand (The Wedding Song)" by Emily Hackett & Will Anderson
- "Time is On My Side" by Los Straitjackets (instrumental version)
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Instrumental versions of popular songs
The "Bridal Chorus", more commonly known as "Here Comes the Bride", is a march traditionally played for the bride's entrance at weddings in the Western world. The song has its roots in German musical and literary history, derived from the 1850 opera "Lohengrin" by German composer Richard Wagner.
While the traditional "Here Comes the Bride" remains a popular choice for weddings, many couples today opt for more modern and personalised alternatives. One popular option is to choose an instrumental version of a popular song that holds a special meaning for the couple. This allows them to incorporate their favourite music into their wedding while creating a unique and memorable experience for their guests.
Some couples may also opt for instrumental covers of classic wedding songs, such as Canon in D by Pachelbel, which is often considered a more elegant alternative to the traditional "Bridal Chorus". Ultimately, the choice of music is a personal decision, with many couples choosing songs that reflect their personalities and the theme of their wedding, be it whimsical, rustic, or glamorous.
In conclusion, while the traditional "Here Comes the Bride" holds a significant place in wedding history, modern couples are increasingly embracing instrumental versions of popular songs as a way to make their wedding ceremonies more personalised and meaningful.
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Here Comes the Bride at royal weddings
"Here Comes the Bride", also known as the Bridal Chorus, is a song that holds a special place in the hearts of many couples and their families. The song is played when the bride makes her grand entrance, walking down the aisle adorned in her beautiful wedding attire. This iconic melody sets the tone for the entire ceremony, creating an emotional and memorable experience for everyone involved.
The song was composed by Richard Wagner for his 1850 opera "Lohengrin". It gained popularity as a wedding song due to its majestic and romantic composition, perfectly capturing the significance of the bride's entrance. The song was popularized when it was used at the wedding of Princess Victoria, the daughter of Queen Victoria, to Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858. The bridal chorus played at this grand event marked a pivotal moment in wedding music history, inspiring many couples to adopt this piece for their own ceremonies.
The association between the song and royal weddings is particularly strong due to its use at Princess Victoria's wedding. The song's majestic and romantic composition perfectly captures the grandeur and elegance often associated with royal weddings. Over time, the "Bridal Chorus" has become a symbol of love and celebration, resonating with couples worldwide, including those from different cultural and religious backgrounds.
While the "Here Comes the Bride" song is a classic choice for many couples, some may prefer alternative options. Personalizing the bridal entrance with a unique song choice can add a special touch to the ceremony, reflecting the couple's relationship and individual tastes. However, for those who envision a traditional and formal affair, the "Bridal Chorus" remains a timeless and cherished part of the wedding ceremony.
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Frequently asked questions
'Here Comes the Bride' is the English name for the Bridal Chorus from German composer Richard Wagner's 1850 opera 'Lohengrin'. It is a march traditionally played for the bride's entrance at weddings throughout the Western world. The song became popular when it was used at the wedding of Princess Victoria, the daughter of Queen Victoria, and Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858.
The original lyrics to the 'Bridal Chorus' are in German. The song is sung by the women of the wedding party in Wagner's opera as they accompany the heroine Elsa to her bridal chamber. The song's German lyrics are unknown to most English-speaking audiences, who instead associate the song with the words: "Here comes the bride, all fat and wide. Where is the groom? He's in the dressing room".
While 'Here Comes the Bride' is a famous wedding tune, it is not as popular as it once was. Some people find the song boring or drab and prefer to walk down the aisle to an instrumental cover of any song of their choosing.
