Matrimony
Gilbert O’Sullivan Lyrics


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I've no wish to hurry you luv
But have you seen the time
It's quarter to ten and we're supposed to be there
at nine
I don't think the registrar
Will be very pleased
When we show up an hour late
Like two frozen peas
Both now facing for the first time
Presently and past
Something that begins with M
And ends in alas
More than not complete disaster
Even form the start
What could it be...
It's Matrimony

I know how you've dreamt about
Being walked down the aisle
But think of the money we'll save
And you'll see it's worthwhile
It won't please our mums and dads
But they don't even know,
Besides if they did what's the betting
They wouldn't even go
You and me are all that matters
Disregard the rest
Trust your soon to be old man
He knows what is best
Very shortly now there's going to be
An answer from you
Then one from me
That's matrimony

I'm truly grateful for the little things in life
That have made me so glad
Every other hour that I spend with you
Is not in the least bit sad
Quite the opposite in fact
And if you don't believe me
Here's the proof
Ask me if I and I'll say "Aye, I do"

You and me are all that matters
Disregard the rest
Trust your soon to be old man
He knows what is best
Very shortly now there's going to be
An answer from you
Then one from me
That's matrimony

Marriage-the joining together of the two people




For better or for worse Till death them do part
Ole!

Overall Meaning

In Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Matrimony,” the singer is trying to convince his partner to get married, despite being an hour late for their appointment at the registrar’s office. The singer acknowledges the potential for the union to end in “disaster,” but frames it as an inevitability by saying that “it’s Matrimony.” Despite the potential for familial disapproval, the singer places the emphasis on their own love and commitment. He says that saving money can make up for the lack of a big wedding, and even jokes that their parents might not show up, anyway. The upbeat tone of the song suggests that, while there may be difficulties on the way, the decision to commit to each other is a happy one.


Line by Line Meaning

I've no wish to hurry you luv
I don't want to rush you, my love


But have you seen the time
Do you realize what the time is?


It's quarter to ten and we're supposed to be there at nine
We are running very late for the appointment we had at nine


I don't think the registrar will be very pleased
The registrar will certainly not be happy with us


When we show up an hour late, like two frozen peas
We will arrive an hour late, looking awkward like two peas in a pod


Both now facing for the first time, presently and past
We are now confronting the present and the past for the first time


Something that begins with M and ends in alas
We are starting something that begins with M and ends in a lamentable situation


More than not complete disaster, even form the start
It is more than likely that we will have a complete disaster, right from the beginning


What could it be... It's Matrimony
The disastrous situation we face is none other than Matrimony


I know how you've dreamt about being walked down the aisle
I know you have always wanted to be walked down the aisle


But think of the money we'll save and you'll see it's worthwhile
Consider the amount of money we save and you'll realize it's worth it


It won't please our mums and dads but they don't even know
Our parents won't be happy but they don't know what's best for us


Besides, if they did what's the betting they wouldn't even go
And even if they knew, they would probably not attend


You and me are all that matters, Disregard the rest
What matters is you and me, let's not worry about the rest


Trust your soon to be old man, He knows what is best
Trust your soon-to-be-husband, he knows what is best for you


Very shortly now there's going to be an answer from you, Then one from me, That's matrimony
Very soon, you will give me an answer, and then I will give you one, and that is Matrimony


I'm truly grateful for the little things in life, That have made me so glad
I'm grateful for the small things in life that have brought me happiness


Every other hour that I spend with you, Is not in the least bit sad
Every hour I spend with you is joyful and not at all sad


Quite the opposite in fact, And if you don't believe me, Here's the proof
In fact, it's quite the opposite, and if you don't believe me, I can prove it


Ask me if I and I'll say 'Aye, I do'
Just ask me, and I'll tell you that I love you and want to marry you


Marriage - the joining together of the two people, For better or for worse Till death them do part Ole!
Marriage is the union of two people, for better or for worse, until death do them part, hooray!




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@celticdollface

You know, Gilbert was a genius singer songwriter... he was a favourite of ours in the 70's when we were teens... every song was brilliant... he was way ahead of his time, and should have become a global superstar...

@gilbertosullivanofficial

The lamp on the piano was my response to Liberace, who always used to place a candelabra on his grand piano. I also love those coat stands. Just somewhere to hang my coat up whilst I’m singing....

I once did a TV show, and to get to the studio I took my own coat stand on the tube!

@ownread112

Excuse me, is this film also an official video?「Alone again(naturally)」 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ8VyWuUdL4

@WilliamHelfrichLuvsCandi

Awesome!

@tonychuter4830

Thank you sir thanks for the memories...

@ronnieparkerscott6223

You talk about coat stands, but I am not alone I am sure when I say that you were instrumental in forging my moral compass with Nothing Rhymed. For that, I thank you.

@haukechristiansen3957

Einfach nur schön

2 More Replies...

@gilbertosullivanofficial

Hello everyone, thank-you for tuning in to watch the HD premier of 'Matrimony'. So what I love about this song, is that while it was never released as a single, it has become almost a signature tune for me. You only have to witness the reaction it receives at concerts! And of course, being a Latin based song, there’s no denying Latin never dates. It's current, contemporary, and a key factor... danceable!! It's nice to think it has played it's part in many a wedding over the years

@journeyman4619

Fantastic to see these clips digitally restored - keep them coming :-) Would love to see a re-broadcast of some of the BBC footage and concerts

@thomasmarthinussen8978

Hi Gilbert! Matrimony was a charttoppa here in Norway in 1972. Love you an your songs! Are you coming to Norway this autumn?

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