The Wedding
Marianne Faithfull · Other Songs - Marianne Faithfull
Said the woman to the man
"When I marry, I will change you"
Said the woman to the man
So they married and were happy
They were happy for a time
Still they thought about each other
All the time
"When I marry, I will be you"
Said the woman to the man
"When you marry, you'll be someone"
Said the woman to the man
So they married and were someone
They were someone for a time
Still they thought about each other
All the time
"When you leave me, you'll be sorry"
Said the woman to the man
"When you leave me, I will haunt you"
Said the woman to the man
So he left her and was haunted
They were haunted for a time
Still they thought about each other
All the time
"When I left him, I was happy"
Said the woman to the child
"When I left him, I was happy"
Said the woman to her child
So I left him and was happy
I was happy with his child
"You won't know him when you meet him"
Said the woman to the child
"You won't know him if you meet him"
Said the woman to the child
But he met him and said, "Father
You were father for a time
I just wondered who you were
In my mind"
"Well, I told you he's your father"
Said the woman to the child
"Well, I knew it, you would love him"
Said the woman to her child
And I loved him and I loved him
And was happy with our child
What was it that made you
Treat us so unkind?
"What's the problem, why 're you crying?"
Said the woman to the man
"He's your father, he's your father"
Said the woman to her son
"He's the problem, he's my father
He was father for a time"
"When I die, I'll be with him"
Said the woman to her son
"When I die, you'll forgive me"
Said the woman to the man
So she did and was buried
Buried with him for all time
"When I love you, we will marry"
Said the woman to the man
"And our children will have children"
Said the woman to the man
So they married and had children
They had children for all time
The Wedding - Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull's 'The Wedding' stands as a hauntingly beautiful example of her mid-1960s folk and pop repertoire. Recorded during a pivotal era when Faithfull transitioned from romantic balladry to more introspective and often darker themes, the track captures the tension between celebration and underlying melancholy. The song reflects her signature ability to blend vocal vulnerability with atmospheric instrumentation, creating a recording that feels both intimate and universally resonant. While often associated with her broader catalogue of works from the 1960s, the piece remains a distinct study in emotional nuance, showcasing her talent for conveying complex feelings without relying on explicit narrative. It serves as a testament to her enduring influence on the folk revival and her capacity to explore the bittersweet nature of life's milestones through her music.