This article is one of several on the site which takes a closer look at some of the best hymns for weddings around, including links to music samples of each and a full transcript of their lyrics.
All hymns in this article are copyright free and permission to reproduce the words in your Church Wedding Order of Service is not required.
HYMNS FOR WEDDINGS
AND DID THOSE FEET IN ANCIENT TIMES (JERUSALEM)
PREVIEW/PURCHASE
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountain green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.
Hymn Lyrics: William Blake (d.1827)
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HYMNS FOR WEDDINGS
FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH
PREVIEW/PURCHASE
For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth, over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our grateful hymn of praise.
For the beauty of each hour, of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our grateful hymn of praise.
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above, pleasures pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our grateful hymn of praise.
For each perfect gift of thine, to our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine, flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our grateful hymn of praise.
For thy Church which evermore, lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore, her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our grateful hymn of praise.
Hymn Lyrics: Francis Pierpoint (d.1917)
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HYMNS FOR WEDDINGS
GIVE ME JOY IN MY HEART
PREVIEW/PURCHASE
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Give me joy in my heart, I pray,
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising,
Keep me praising 'till the break of day.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King.
Give me peace in my heart, keep me praying,
Give me peace in my heart, I pray,
Give me peace in my heart, keep me praying,
Keep me praying 'till the end of day.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King.
Give my oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray,
Give my oil in my lamp, keep me burning,
Keep me burning 'till the end of day.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King.
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting,
Give me peace in my heart, I pray.
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting,
Keep me resting 'till the end of day.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King of kings!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the King.
Hymn Lyrics: Anon
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HYMNS FOR WEDDINGS
I VOW TO THEE MY COUNTRY
PREVIEW/PURCHASE
I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love:
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.
Hymn Lyrics: Sir Cecil Spring-Rice (d.1918)
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For lyrics and music samples of other hymns for weddings, check out the links below:
All People that on Earth do Dwell
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Amazing Grace
And Can it Be That I Should Gain
Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us
Love Divine All Loves Excelling
Morning Has Broken
Praise My Soul The King of Heaven
Praise to the Lord The Almighty
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
The Lord's My Shepherd I'll Not Want
To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done
We Plough the Fields and Scatter
Alternatively, if you'd like to know more about hymns as part of a Church wedding service, including how many you're allowed and when they can be played, our church wedding hymns article provides a useful overview.
Recommended Reading
For those of you wanting to find out more, we've a whole host of other articles on wedding ceremonies on our site packed full of expert information and helpful advice, not to mention our online wedding directory that's filled with venue decorators, approved wedding premises, musicians, photographers and more.
For friendly tips and helpful advice take a look at our wedding ceremonies forum, or why not check out the 'related articles' and 'pages & websites you may like' below.
