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Song Lyrics as Wedding Readings

Updated: Feb 6, 2022



Sometimes, you just can't find the perfect reading for your wedding: you've either heard them all at a million other weddings, or just can't find the one that says everything you want to say - without being cheesy!


Why not think about using lyrics from a song? Apart from the words being absolutely right for you, you might also have an association with that particular song, which will give an extra layer of resonance to your wedding ceremony.


The trick, of course, is to make sure that your reader reads the lyrics as they are, and doesn't do the toe-curling thing of reading the words as they were sung ("Lights will gui-i-i-i-de you home....!").


Remember, you don't have to include every verse and chorus - just the parts that are right for you.


Here are lyrics from 10 songs that are ideal for wedding readings, from Johnny Cash to Beyonce, Metallica to Stevie Wonder, and which you might not have considered:


Happiness is You - Johnny Cash

Way down the mountain I chased a moonbeam

On the beach I built sand castles too

My moonbeams faded my castles tumbled

All of this was meaningless ‘cause happiness is you

No more chasing moonbeams or catching falling stars

I know now my pot of gold is anywhere you are

My heart won’t miss you, my heart goes with you

Loneliness is emptiness but happiness is you

I tried to doubt you and live without you

Tried to deny but I love you like I do

But I realise now and I’ll admit it

You’ll always be a part of me ‘cause happiness is you


Flaws and All - Beyonce


I’m a train wreck in the morning

I’m a b*tch in the afternoon

Every now and then without warning

I can be really mean towards you

I’m a puzzle, yes, indeed

Ever-complex in every way

And all the pieces aren’t even in the box

And yet you see the picture clear as day

I don’t know why you love me

And that’s why I love you

Catch me when I fall

Accept me, flaws and all

I neglect you when I’m working

When I need attention, I tend to nag

I’m a host of imperfection

And you see past all that

I’m a peasant by some standards

But in your eyes I’m a queen

You see potential in all my flaws

And that’s exactly what I mean

I don’t know why you love me

And that’s why I love you

You catch me when I fall

Accept me, flaws and all


Tangled Up in You - Staind

You’re my world

The shelter from the rain

You’re the pills

That take away my pain

You’re the light

That helps me find my way

You’re the words

When I have nothing to say

And in this world

Where nothing else is true

Here I am

Still tangled up in you

You’re the fire

That warms me when I’m cold

You’re the hand

I have to hold as I grow old

You’re the shore

When I am lost at sea

You’re the only thing

That I like about me

And in this world

Where nothing else is true

Here I am

Still tangled up in you


i choose you - Sara Bareilles

Let the bough break, let it come down crashing

Let the sun fade out to a dark sky

I can’t say I’d even notice it was absent

‘Cause I could live by the light in your eyes

I’ll unfold before you

Would have strung together

The very first words of a lifelong love letter

Tell the world that we finally got it all right

I choose you

I will become yours and you will become mine

I choose you

There was a time when I would have believed them

If they told me that you could not come true

Just love’s illusion

But then you found me

And everything changed

And I believe in something again

My whole heart

Will be yours forever

This is a beautiful start to a lifelong love letter

Tell the world that we finally got it all right

I choose you

We are not perfect we’ll learn from our mistakes

And as long as it takes I will prove my love to you

I am not scared of the elements, I am underprepared,

But I am willing

And even better

I get to be the other half of you

I will become yours and you will become mine

I choose you


As - Stevie Wonder

As around the sun the earth knows she’s revolving

And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May

Just as hate knows love’s the cure

You can rest your mind assure

That I’ll be loving you always

As now can’t reveal the mystery of tomorrow

But in passing will grow older every day

Just as all that’s born is new

You know what I say is true

That I’ll be loving you always

Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the skies

Until the ocean covers every mountain high

Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea

Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream

Did you know that true love asks for nothing

Her acceptance is the way we pay

Did you know that life has given love a guarantee

To last through forever and another day

Just as time knew to move on since the beginning

And the seasons know exactly when to change

Just as kindness knows no shame

Know through all your joy and pain

That I’ll be loving you always

Until the day is night and night becomes the day

Until the trees and seas just up and fly away

Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four

Until the day that is the day that are no more

I’ll be loving you always.


Dance Me to the End of Love - Leonard Cohen

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin

Dance me through the panic ’til I’m gathered safely in

Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove

Dance me to the end of love

Let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone

Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon

Show me slowly what I only know the limits of

Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on

Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long

We’re both of us beneath our love, we’re both of us above

Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the children who are asking to be born

Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn

Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn

Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin

Dance me through the panic till I’m gathered safely in

Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove

Dance me to the end of love


At Last - Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, sung by Etta James



At last, my love has come along

My lonely days are over and life is like a song

At last, the skies above are blue

My heart was wrapped up clover

the night I looked at you

I found a dream that I could speak to

A dream that I can call my own

I found a thrill to press my cheek to

A thrill I’ve never known

You smiled and then the spell was cast

And here we are in Heaven

For you are mine at last


Thank You - Led Zeppelin

If the sun refused to shine

I would still be loving you

When mountains crumble to the sea

There would still be you and me

I give you my all

nothing more

Little drops of rain

Whisper of the pain

Tears of loves lost in the days gone by

Our love is strong

With you there is no wrong

Together we shall go until we die.

Inspiration's what you are to me

Inspiration, look and see

And so today, my world it smiles

Your hand in mine, we walk the miles

Thanks to you it will be done

Happiness, no more be sad

Happiness…. I’m glad


You're All I Need To Get By - Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

You’re all I need to get by.

Like sweet morning dew,

I took one look at you,

And it was plain to see, you were my destiny.

With arms open wide, I threw away my pride,

I’ll sacrifice for you, dedicate my life to you.

I will go where you lead,

Always there in time of need.

And when I lose my will,

You’ll be there to push me up the hill.

There’s no looking back for us

We got love,

Sure that’s enough

You’re all I need to get by.

Like an eagle protects his nest,

for you I’ll do my best,

Stand by you like a tree,

and dare anybody to try and move me.

In you I found strength where I was torn down,

Don’t know what’s in store

but together we can open any door.

Cause we got the right foundation

and with love and determination

you’re all I want to strive for and do a little more

You’re all the joys under the sun wrapped up into one

You’re all I need to get by.


Nothing Else Matters - Metallica

So close, no matter how far

Couldn’t be much more from the heart

Forever trust in who we are

And nothing else matters

Never opened myself this way

Life is ours, we live it our way

All these words, I don’t just say

And nothing else matters

Trust I seek and I find in you

Every day for us is something new

Open mind for a different view

And nothing else matters

Forever trusting who we are

And nothing else matters


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