The Wedding
Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics
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The lyrics to Legendary Pink Dots' song, The Wedding, tell a story of a reluctant groom who feels out of place in the marriage he is about to enter into. The opening lines, "You asked for nothing. That's what I gave you - ash for ashes, dust for dust," sets the tone for the groom's indifference towards the marriage. The following lyrics, including "Your trust is touching, but misguided," further emphasize that the groom feels as though he is not worthy of his bride's love and trust.
As the ceremony progresses, the groom becomes increasingly uneasy and begins to contemplate running away. However, he is unable to do so and continues with the wedding, reciting vows that he does not truly mean. The lyrics, "Only words don't mean a thing... I think of ways to run," highlight the groom's true feelings towards the ceremony and his lack of commitment to his bride.
The song ends with the groom pondering the possibility of a better future, "Maybe one day rewards will be there for us Just for us in heaven. Just for us amen amen," while simultaneously recognizing the harsh reality of his situation, "It's obscene, the ultimate obscenity... this serenity on Sunday, we're stars on Sundays. Smiles on straight!"
Overall, The Wedding is a haunting commentary on the societal and personal pressures of marriage and the moral struggle one can experience in such a life-changing commitment.
Line by Line Meaning
You asked for nothing. That's what I gave you - ash for ashes, dust for dust.
Even though you didn't ask for anything from me, I gave you the bare minimum. I did the least I could do.
Your trust is touching, but misguided...
I appreciate that you trust me, but you shouldn't. You don't really know me.
Bride, I'll be yours for one night. I wander.
I'll be with you tonight, but after that, I'll be gone. I'm not sure about my future.
I wonder really what you saw in me -- I'm not your type at all...
I'm not sure why you're interested in me because we're completely different.
And all the angels hold their breath as my eyes rest upon the pretty girl who leads the choir.
Everyone is surprised that I'm staring at the girl who leads the choir. She's probably too pure for me.
They cry out their disgust for me. They are crying for my bride who smiles in white, does not suspect my next move in the game.
The angels are upset with me and warn my bride, who is innocent and doesn't know what I'm planning.
Again! "I'll honor you and cherish you." Again! "I'll share my worldly goods" Again... 'til death, when we're parted. Only words don't mean a thing...
I keep making the same promises to my bride, but they're empty words. They don't actually mean anything.
I think of ways to run. The sun paints patterns on the stained-glass windows.
I'm contemplating running away because I don't want to be here. The sun is shining through the colorful glass windows, creating beautiful designs.
Widows in their Sunday best reflect about when they too were brides. They can't hide their feelings as they steal seconds from an age they'll never see again.
The widows are reminded of their own weddings and can't help but feel nostalgic. They know they'll never get those moments back.
Again! "With this ring I pledge myself"... Again! ("I do. I do. Shoo be doo doo wah...")
Again, I'm repeating vows that I don't really mean. I'm just going through the motions.
Why do we have to be so humble and mumble words we never mean? It's obscene, the ultimate obscenity... this serenity on Sunday, we're stars on Sundays. Smiles on straight!
Why do we have to pretend and say things we don't mean? It's ridiculous and absurd. This quiet moment on Sunday where we pretend to be happy is fake.
Maybe one day rewards will be there for us Just for us in heaven. Just for us amen amen.... The end.
Maybe one day we'll actually get rewarded for our actions in heaven, but for now, that's the end of the wedding and the end of this song.
Contributed by Kylie P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Mory
im now 47, I've been listening to LPD since i was in my late teens. .... still as great as the first time i heard them! !! will always be fan!!!
Hugh K. Ayers
Pretty much the same story here!
transneptu
maybe one of their best songs, from the first album I listened to of this amazing band, my all-time fave.
SweetSweetWaldo
They cry out their disgust for me. They're crying for my bride! I I remember the pretty girls who led the choir all too well...LPD guided me through a lonely life of ostracism, failure, and a hundred layers of anxiety. I'm going to write into my will that LPD must be played at my service! That service might not be for very long!
moby boy
beautiful
spookybuk
One dislike. Shit got too real for a bride somewhere :(
David Rtuygm
Where can i find the album?
spookybuk
beneath the pier, at midnight. come alone.