This article is one of several on the site which takes a closer look at some of the most popular wedding hymns 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.
POPULAR WEDDING HYMNS
ALL PEOPLE THAT ON EARTH DO DWELL
PREVIEW/PURCHASE
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice,
Him serve with fear, his praise forth tell,
Come ye before him, and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed,
Without our aid he did us make,
We are his folk, he doth us feed,
And for his sheep he doth us take.
O enter then his gates with praise,
Approach with joy his courts unto,
Praise, laud, and bless his name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
For why? The Lord our God is good,
His mercy is for ever sure,
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom heaven and earth adore,
From men and from the Angel-host
Be praise and glory evermore. Amen.
Hymn Lyrics: verses 1-4 William Keithe (d.1594), verse 5: Anon
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POPULAR WEDDING HYMNS
ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
PREVIEW/PURCHASE
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours, he made their tiny wings.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
The purple-headed mountain, the river running by,
The sunset and the morning, that brightens up the sky.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden, he made them every one.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
The tall trees in the greenwood, the meadows for our play,
The rushes by the water, to gather every day.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
He gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.
Hymn Lyrics: Cecil Frances Alexander (d.1895)
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POPULAR WEDDING HYMNS
AMAZING GRACE
PREVIEW/PURCHASE
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved,
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come,
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures,
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The world shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun refuse to shine,
But God, who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.
Hymn Lyrics: verses 1-6 John Newton (d.1807), verse 7 Anon
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POPULAR WEDDING HYMNS
AND CAN IT BE THAT I SHOULD GAIN
PREVIEW/PURCHASE
And can it be, that I should gain, an interest in the Saviour's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain, for me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
'Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries, to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! let earth adore, let angel minds inquire no more.
He left His Father's throne above, so free, so infinite His grace,
Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race:
'Tis mercy all, immense and free; for, O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Hymn Lyrics: C. Wesley (d.1788)
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For lyrics and music samples of other popular wedding hymns, check out the links below:
And Did Those Feet In Ancient Times (Jerusalem)
For the Beauty of the Earth
Give Me Joy In My Heart (Sing Hosanna!)
I Vow To Thee My Country
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.
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