Marie's Wedding
Van Morrison / The Chieftains Lyrics
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Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Over hillways, up and down
Myrtle green and bracken brown
Past the sheilings through the town
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Red her cheeks as rowan's are
Bright her eyes as any star
Fairest of them all by far
Is our darlin' marie
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Plenty herring, plenty meal
Plenty peat to fill her kreel
Plenty bonnie bairns as well
That's the toast for Marie
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel And toe for toe
Arm and arm And row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Na-na-na-na-na
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
Na-na-na-na-na
Step we gaily on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row and row
All for Marie's wedding
The lyrics of Van Morrison / The Chieftains' song "Marie's Wedding" depict the joyous celebration of a wedding, with the community coming together to celebrate the union of Marie and her partner. The celebrants step "gaily on we go" with "heel for heel and toe for toe" as they walk "over hillways, up and down," through fields and towns, all for the sake of Marie. Despite the celebrants' focus on Marie and her wedding, the lyrics highlight the beauty of the natural surroundings, with "myrtle green and bracken brown" and "red [Marie's] cheeks as rowan's are."
The song also highlights the abundance of the community, with "plenty herring, plenty meal," "plenty peat to fill her kreel," and "plenty bonnie bairns as well" to celebrate the occasion. The refrain, "step we gaily on we go, heel for heel and toe for toe, arm and arm and row and row, all for Marie's wedding," emphasizes the communal nature of the celebration, with everyone coming together to support Marie and her partner.
Overall, the lyrics of "Marie's Wedding" convey a sense of joy, community, and celebration, highlighting both the specific occasion of Marie's wedding and the broader beauty of the natural surroundings and abundance of the community.
Line by Line Meaning
Step we gaily on we go
We merrily continue on our way
Heel for heel and toe for toe
Our feet moving in perfect unison
Arm and arm and row and row
Together we walk and sing
All for Marie's wedding
Celebrating Marie's special day
Over hillways, up and down
Through the rolling landscape we journey
Myrtle green and bracken brown
Amid the lush flora and fauna of the land
Past the sheilings through the town
Passing by the rural dwellings and into the village
All for the sake of marie
Doing it all for Marie's happiness
Red her cheeks as rowan's are
Her rosy cheeks as vibrant as the trees
Bright her eyes as any star
Her eyes shining like the celestial bodies above
Fairest of them all by far
Undoubtedly the most beautiful of all present
Is our darlin' marie
Our beloved Marie
Plenty herring, plenty meal
Abundance of fish and food
Plenty peat to fill her kreel
Ample fuel to keep her warm
Plenty bonnie bairns as well
Many lovely children enjoy the festive occasion
That's the toast for Marie
We raise our glasses in honor of Marie
Na-na-na-na-na
Nonsensical refrain
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: VAN MORRISON, PADDY MALONEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Morgan
This is so cute. All of these beautiful people having fun and enjoying life singing together! They really look like they had a good time! They seemed so cheerful and happy!
sarsfieldabu
Some of the greatest traditional Irish musicians alive in their day. Most are multi instrumental and virtuosos on their own whether harp or uillen pipes or any traditional instrument. To see so many greats of Irish music together is fantastic.
Peter Dolan
Absolutely love this song. Van does a great version of it. The video is really well orchestrated too. He's a great performer. 👍
Madeline Schultz
R.I.P., Derek Bell! I was entranced the first time I saw you playing a neoceltic harp. So haunting. And here you are, having a blast playing a mean awesome ragtime piano. I know you were a classically trained musician! What a wonderful clip of you with your buddies. God bless you, Derek! All for the love of the music..
Sro, Esq.
Well done OP, first time I've seen Van smile and you got it on the thumb. Vans voice is just the best.
Boat Man
Some incredible musicians and singers with Van, no wonder he was happy
remus
What a great bunch of lovely people enjoying themselves.....
John Woods
Great to hear Derek Bell playing some ragtime piano at the start. R.I.P. Derek Bell and Paddy Moloney. Even Van Morrison managed a smile.
David Smythe
Such a talent sorely missed. Legend
sirvidia
Van?