I Pronounce You
The Madness Lyrics
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Not even knowing who the lucky fellow might be
Bridesmaids are cleaning the court-house bell
Horse-driven carriages wait patiently in hell
Happiness has been arranged for some time in July
Invitations have been sent I'm so bitter I could cry
Congratulations flown in from a long-lost friend
And as family tradition is busy making up your mind
Gallantly standing draped in his holy shroud
God's representative mumbles to a tearful crowd
I now pronounce you
I now pronounce you
Mother father wake up, you've overlooked one thing
The daughter you've planned for four years won't get to wear your ring
Instead she'll be running off into the dark of night
Straight into the hungry arms that long to hold her tight
And as family tradition is busy making up your mind
Gallantly standing draped in his holy shroud
God's representative mumbles to a tearful crowd
I now pronounce you
I now pronounce you
There's a feeling deep inside of you, a feeling that of ease
You're the sweetest thing that could ever happen for me
The bridesmaids are ringing the court-house bell
Horse-driven carriages try to cover streets to tell
And as family tradition is busy making up your mind
Gallantly standing draped in his holy shroud
God's representative mumbles to a tearful crowd
I now pronounce you
I now pronounce you
[x2]
The Madness's song "I Pronounce You" is a tragic love story that tells the tale of a bride who is unhappy with the groom chosen for her by her parents. The opening lines describe the bride's nervousness and uncertainty about the unknown "lucky fellow" she is about to marry, while the bridesmaids prepare for the ceremony. The next lines reveal that the marriage was arranged by her parents, and invitations have been sent out, though the bride is upset by the whole event. The chorus, "I now pronounce you," is the traditional phrase spoken by a minister to declare the couple married, but it takes on a sad tone in this song.
The second verse takes a darker turn, revealing that the bride doesn't want to marry the groom, and instead plans to run off with someone else. Her parents have overlooked her feelings, and their predetermined plans for her life have led to this heartbreaking situation. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the solemnity of the situation. However, the final verse takes a more positive turn, with the singer addressing someone they care about and declaring their love. The bridesmaids ring the courthouse bell in happiness, and horse-drawn carriages announce the couple's marriage, but for the bride in the song, it is too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, there's a feeling in your stomach, a light trembling at the knees
The bride-to-be is experiencing nervousness and excitement as she is about to get married.
Not even knowing who the lucky fellow might be
She is so excited to get married that the identity of the groom doesn't even matter to her.
Bridesmaids are cleaning the court-house bell
The bridesmaids are preparing the venue and getting everything ready for the wedding.
Horse-driven carriages wait patiently in hell
The waiting horse carriages symbolize impatience and eagerness to start the wedding ceremony.
Happiness has been arranged for some time in July
The wedding has been planned far in advance and the month of July has been chosen for the occasion.
Invitations have been sent I'm so bitter I could cry
The singer is feeling resentful that he/she didn't receive an invitation to the wedding.
Congratulations flown in from a long-lost friend
A friend who hasn't been in touch for a long time has sent their congratulations for the wedding.
For the big occasion regretting that he can't attend
The friend is regretful that they cannot attend the wedding.
And as family tradition is busy making up your mind
The family is pressuring the bride to follow the traditional path of getting married.
Gallantly standing draped in his holy shroud
The groom is standing at the altar, dressed in his wedding attire.
God's representative mumbles to a tearful crowd
The priest/minister/officiant is solemnly performing the wedding ceremony in front of a weeping congregation.
I now pronounce you
The moment in the wedding ceremony when the couple is officially declared married.
Mother father wake up, you've overlooked one thing
The singer is drawing attention to the fact that the parents have not considered the desires and opinions of their daughter in planning her wedding.
The daughter you've planned for four years won't get to wear your ring
The daughter has chosen to marry someone who is not approved of by the parents, and will therefore not receive their engagement/wedding ring.
Instead she'll be running off into the dark of night
The daughter is doing something that her parents disapprove of, and will have to leave under cover of darkness to do so.
Straight into the hungry arms that long to hold her tight
The daughter is going to embrace her true love, who is eagerly waiting for her outside.
There's a feeling deep inside of you, a feeling that of ease
The bride is experiencing a sense of peace and contentment now that she is married to the person she loves.
You're the sweetest thing that could ever happen for me
The singer is deeply in love with the bride and feels that marrying her is the best thing that could have happened in their life.
The bridesmaids are ringing the court-house bell
The bridesmaids are joyfully ringing the bell to celebrate the union of the newlywed couple.
Horse-driven carriages try to cover streets to tell
The horse-drawn carriages are parading through the streets to spread the news of the wedding and signal the start of the celebration.
I now pronounce you
The final declaration of the wedding ceremony, officially announcing the couple as married.
I now pronounce you
Repeating the final declaration of the wedding ceremony for emphasis.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CATHAL SMYTH, CATHAL JOSEPH SMYTH, CHRISTOPHER JOHN FOREMAN, GRAHAM MCPHERSON, LEE THOMPSON, LEE JAY THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sam Haynes Music
I still think this is one the best things they did. Love it. Unique sounding, quite dark in places. Its an awesome album.
Sam Haynes Music
awesome song, awesome album too! The Madness were extremely underrated would have loved to hear more from them!
SuperHammaren
Well if this is a less god madness song, then it is still better than the best of most other bands. It is Great in my book.
Paeony Flower
An underrated song written by an underestimated man.
Michael Bell
Mad indeed. Love this band.
Jenny Turton
it's such an underated song, I Love it!!!!
Sam Haynes Music
Most songs were from the unreleased madness 1986 Album. Any true madness fan should consider this a real madness album, because it is a madness album. At the time music had moved on to be much more electronic so it's not as nutty as the early stuff. It is a bloody brilliant album though, a work of art. Some great performers on it. Even the cover art is superb.
Sam Haynes Music
The piano and flute on this are beautiful too.
Mike Fahey
I was not aware that he was the drummer in this video and i also wasn't aware they wrote Bed and Breakfast Man about him, i love that song, but more importantly, i love Madness :)
Jenny Turton
one of the best songs!! xx