This page contains the lyrics of the two songs played at our wedding ceremony, and a downloadable MP3 file of the cello music Edith arranged and recorded for our walk into the venue.
- Prelude
- Processional music
- It's Only Time - The Magnetic Fields
- Northern Sky - Nick Drake
Prelude
The music playing in the Mappin Pavilion during the half-hour before the ceremony started was Shostakovich's Jazz Suites 1 and 2.
Processional music
The idea for the music to which we walked into the wedding venue was actually Rebecca Merriman's. It was one of our most closely guarded secrets in the run-up to the wedding, so that it would surprise all the guests, even including Rebecca, since we hadn't actually told her we had gone for her idea!
Edith arranged the tune for a cello duo, then Paul recorded her playing each part in turn and put them together for the final piece.
If you were at the ceremony, you'll know what the piece is; if you weren't, we'll keep it a surprise for you too - just download the MP3 linked below, and imagine the best men and bridesmaids (plus Edith's brother James, who kindly stepped in at the last minute to replace the absent Kaie) in pairs leading us along the aisle to the Registrar while it played!
- Download processional music (MP3 file, 3MB - about ten minutes on dial-up, or one on broadband)
Depending on how your web browser is set up, you may find that clicking this link just plays the music. If you'd like to save it instead, just right-click (Ctrl-click on a Mac) and choose 'Save target as...', 'Save link as...' or your browser's similar option.
It's Only Time
The Magnetic Fields (from the album i)
Why would I stop loving you
A hundred years from now?
It's only time.
What could stop this beating heart
Once it's made a vow?
It's only time.
If rain won't change your mind, let it fall.
The rain won't change my heart at all.
Lock this chain around my hand,
Throw away the key.
It's only time.
Years falling like grains of sand
Mean nothing to me.
It's only time.
If snow won't change your mind, let it fall.
The snow won't change my heart, not at all.
I'll walk your lands
And swim your sea
Marry me.
Then in your hands
I will be free
Marry me.
Why would I stop loving you
A hundred years from now?
Northern Sky
Nick Drake (from the album Bryter Layter)
I never felt magic crazy as this
I never saw moons knew the meaning of the sea
I never held emotion in the palm of my hand
Or felt sweet breezes in the top of a tree
But now you're here
Brighten my northern sky.
I've been a long time that I'm waiting
Been a long that I'm blown
I've been a long time that I've wandered
Through the people I have known
Oh, if you would and you could
Straighten my new mind's eye.
Would you love me for my money
Would you love me for my head
Would you love me through the winter
Would you love me 'til I'm dead
Oh, if you would and you could
Come blow your horn on high.
I never felt magic crazy as this
I never saw moons knew the meaning of the sea
I never held emotion in the palm of my hand
Or felt sweet breezes in the top of a tree
But now you're here
Brighten my northern sky.