Perhaps best known for his distinct yodelling, he charted more than seventy singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980, including the Number One hits 'I'm Movin' On' and 'I Don't Hurt Anymore'. Performing in lavish and colourful sequin-studded suits, Snow had a career covering six decades during which he sold more than 80 million albums, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1979.
THERE IS A HANK SNOW MUSEUM CLOSE TO BROOKLYN IN LIVERPOOL, NOVA SCOTIA, APPROPRIATELY, IT IS HOUSED IN AN ABANDONED TRAIN STATION. VERY WELL DONE
I reckon Hank Snow was better known for his distinctive self taught guitar style. Hank was influenced by the famous Rail road blues singer Jimmie Rodgers and though Hank did copy Rodgers style in his early days, including the "blue yodel" he later abandoned this and developed his own gritty style of singing. His guitar playing was so good he once cut a duet album of guitar music with the late Chet Atkins, master country Guitarist and music producer for RCA Victor. Hank was with RCA Victor label for almost 50 years and towards the end of his waning career RCA dropped him, just before he would have celebrated his half century with that label-always thought that was a bit mean of them.. Hank Snow and his Rainbow ranch boys, with Chubby Hayes on fiddle gave really great live concerts and the singing and playing they did was superlative and sounded as good as, if not equal to their recorded works.
Wedding Bells
Hank Snow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wanted me to see you change your name
I couldn't stand to see you wed another
But dear I hope you're happy just the same
Wedding bells are ringing in the chapel
That should be ringing out for you and me
Down the aisle with someone else you're walking
I planned a little cottage in the valley
I even bought a little band of gold
I thought some day I'd place it on your finger
But now the future looks so dark and cold
Wedding bells are ringing in the chapel
I hear the children laughing out with glee
At home alone I hang my head in sorrow
Those wedding bells will never ring for me
I fancy that I see a bunch of roses
A blossom from an orange tree in your hair
And while the organ plays I love you truly
Please let me pretend that I am there
Wedding bells are ringing in the chapel
Ever since the day you set me free
I knew someday that you would wed another
But wedding bells will never ring for me
In Hank Snow's song, "Wedding Bells," the singer has received an invitation from his former lover, inviting him to her wedding. The singer explains that he cannot bear to see her marry someone else, but he still wishes her happiness. He had planned to build a life with her, buying a little cottage and a band of gold, but now he feels as though his future is bleak.
As the wedding bells ring in the chapel, the singer observes children laughing and playing, but he is unable to join in on the celebration. He imagines his former lover with a rose and an orange blossom in her hair, walking down the aisle to the sound of the organ. Though he cannot be there with her physically, he asks to "pretend that [he is] there."
The lyrics of "Wedding Bells" are bittersweet and mournful, reflecting the singer's heartbreak at losing someone he loved. The song captures the universal emotion of unrequited love, which is something that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
I have the invitation that you sent me
You sent me an invitation to your wedding.
You wanted me to see you change your name
You wanted me to witness your transformation into someone else's bride.
I couldn't stand to see you wed another
It would be too painful for me to watch you marry someone else.
But dear I hope you're happy just the same
Although it hurts, I still wish you happiness and joy in your new life.
Wedding bells are ringing in the chapel
The sound of bells ringing signals the beginning of your wedding ceremony.
That should be ringing out for you and me
We should be the ones getting married and hearing those bells.
Down the aisle with someone else you're walking
You are walking down the aisle with your new partner, not with me.
Those wedding bell will never ring for me
I will never get married and hear those bells, because you are not with me.
I planned a little cottage in the valley
I had made plans for us to have a happy life together in a cozy home.
I even bought a little band of gold
I purchased a ring that I was planning to give you as a symbol of our love.
I thought some day I'd place it on your finger
My hope was that someday, I would propose to you and you'd accept my ring.
But now the future looks so dark and cold
I feel lost and alone now that my plans and hopes for us have been shattered.
I hear the children laughing out with glee
People are happy and celebrating your wedding, including young children who are unaware of my sadness.
At home alone I hang my head in sorrow
I am grieving the loss of the future I envisioned with you, and doing so alone.
Those wedding bells will never ring for me
I recognize that I will never find the love and happiness that I had hoped for with you, and it saddens me.
I fancy that I see a bunch of roses
In my imagination, I see you wearing a beautiful bouquet of roses on your wedding day.
A blossom from an orange tree in your hair
I envision that you have a beautiful orange blossom in your hair as a symbol of your new life and happiness.
And while the organ plays I love you truly
As the music plays and you exchange vows, I am thinking of how much I still love you.
Please let me pretend that I am there
I want to imagine that I am there with you, even though I know it's not possible.
Ever since the day you set me free
Since the day you ended our relationship, I have never been able to let go of my love for you.
I knew someday that you would wed another
I always suspected that you would move on and start a new life without me.
But wedding bells will never ring for me
Because you are not getting married to me, I will never get to experience the happiness of hearing wedding bells on my own wedding day.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLAUDE BOONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack Kane
thanks for posting the great version by hank snow.
keith kimmey sr
Thanks for ALL your Hank Snow postings.They are ALL great
Altha Zepp
What wonderful memories when life was young and full of love, hope and optimism. Where have you gone, my dreams? And indeed, they never rang for me either.
Theresa Chiorazzi
Wow. Wedding bells rang for me and mine in that year 1956. A beautiful song by hank a great singer
OldDogNewTrick
Great old tune. I am sure I heard this when it first came out. Just a teenager then and wondering about this big life event.
Tina Charles
Back in 1981 I found a recipe in the country music magazine called, Hank Snow Treats, it became my entire families favorite dessert bar! Now both of my daughter's share it with their families and friends! I also loved his music!
Arthur Davis
Hi Tina, You all have great Taste. Hank Williams also sings this Plus I have it on my channel, check it out 102 great old Country songs, I think you will enjoy all Old Country & Elvis 60,s etc. ~ Arthur.
Doug Keith
Great Song by Hank Snow thanks for his Cover of Hank Williams Sr Doug K
saved atlast
Hank Snow is very under rated this is great Thanks for sharing,from Keith
Bebopalula
iI only knew it from Hank Williams Sr before. Stunning!