This Marriage

[ebergsven]

that is one of the sweetest things I have ever seen. Thank you;

[KurtZII]

This song is getting played at my wedding



[osniibon]

floating down the stream of our imagination, of life to life.........makes no difference  whether you're in delusion.....

[AcousticDude17]

eric whitacre is such a fantastic composer

[gymgirl2896]

the only people who would dislike this, have a horrible marriage...a bit of advise work it out because u wouldnt of married the person you did if you didnt love them like this song says at one point

[DJLiko81]

This was our Unity Candle song. Love it. It's simple (relatively; can be sung by a quartet instead of needing 20+ voices), yet completely beautiful.

[angelsweetums08]

got married may 2, 2009. <3 wouldnt of chosen any other song to walk down the aisle too.

[angelsweetums08]

i walked down the isle to this. my husband was going to sing it when i walked down the isle but he went to Marine Corps boot camp right before our church wedding. therefore, he wasnt able to practice. he has a fantastic voice. i am in love with this song and hes deployed right now. i listen to it every night and i cry every time. please keep my hsuband in your prayers

[subtleillusions]

Eric Whitacre composes the most ethereal, enigmatic music. I am blown away by his talent.

[ZxxLeonxxZ]

Beautiful.

[girlfromwintercourt]

I wanna walk down the aisle with this song (:

[Anglolund]

Getting married July 16th

[Ninnapintga]

beautifull but to fast!

[Ninnapintga]

beautifull but to fast!

[HydieAndSteff]

this really should have been the choice for the Royal Wedding.

[Eberiya]

@HydieAndSteff I agree full heartedly! :)

[PreyingMantisMan]

Possibly one of the most emotional and beautiful songs I've ever heard...

[CinnabonChan]

Okay, so the Bible says I can't marry my boyfriend. :( But!  The Bible says I can marry one thousand women, my sister, my daugter, a nine year old girl, the only surviving female of a village I've exterminated (including her family)...

To be honest, I'd much rather marry my boyfriend, thanks.

[evergabrielle]

we sung this song in all-county chorus and it was my favorite song....

it's so pure and beautiful

[Brivixxycej8]

Is this Polyphony?

[ScreamDemon08]

@Brivixxycej8 I believe so...

[rippinsteo]

@Brivixxycej8 :Given the quality of the recording and the sound of the vowels, I'm inclined the think it is indeed Polyphony.

[jessface777]

Ohh Eric Whitacre is such an amazing composer! Very good chance I will want this song played or sung at my wedding!

[Arlock64]

a very confusing sheet of music but i'm new to choir so i'll learn it piece by piece

[AcousticDude17]

@Arlock64 its because whitacre's pieces are 15% notes and lyrics, and the rest is entirely up to interpretation. thats the beautiful thing about his music

[Pepinlax07]

my choir is doing this song

[SHellz724]

This is soo beautiful & just right! - I honestly which couples could be of different races, mix it up some. In summary, great job!

[LIonGraphiK]

I'm definitely going to request this for my marriage/wedding in the future.

[Gazjh1973]

sang this in a small choir for my friends' wedding... was lush

[eldaloth]

@Gazjh1973 how wonderful!

[SHIRELYQUESINB]

Find nice Asian beauties **lushfmlk.info**

[HornGoddess08]

..I guess 7 people don't have a happy marriage. :( ..how sad

[007TruthSeeker]

Thank you for posting this lovely slideshow to Eric's "This Marriage."

My life is now complete.

Such a paean to marriage, his music and your pictures, every one of which was a knock-out!

Live long and prosper.

[TheLittleWolf100492]

I auditioned for my chior using this song! I'm a soprano and our part is beautiful! =^_^=

[iSHOTdiamondpainXTC]

My Choir is singing this song (:

[alejaimevideos]

Just amazing. Thats why i really love music. Thank you all. Alejaimevideos

[cesca07]

I love this piece! specifically, I like how there is a subtle chant-like motif, that's why it sounds like it would be perfect in a church setting; the gradual, almost unnoticeable build up of heighten dynamics, that your heart just jumps to, kinda like a gasp of air; it brings love, innocence, happiness, hope, purity, unity, all into one. Also the end of the song... its all what you interpret... they off to their honeymoon, and you know that they really live happily ever after =)

[tn3ath3r]

this song makes me amazingly happy. it has a sound as pure as marriage itself <3

[crimsonkiss420]

i want this song sung at my wedding, im hoping i can put together a beautiful choir. Eric Whitacre, wow nothing can truly explain how talented u are with music.

[hawkinstaylor51]

COOL! Eric Whitaker is a Genius!

[AeroKleftis]

This is one of the few choral songs by Whitacre I actually appreciate, because it's texture and feeling is a bit simpler, but so much more beautiful.

[angel0071996]

What I loved about this, was that my favorite Choir teacher played this song for us, and then when I looked it up at home, the address had my boyfriend's name in it...literally. Not only is it an amazingly beautiful song, it's....amazingly beautiful. The song has stunned me with its beauty...I can't describe it any better. (:

[mandinie]

I had this sung at my wedding by a choir of 30 friends and it made the ceremony! I recommend it x

[JRHarris41]

thumbs up

god bless

Joe & Mina

[BubblesNKM]

This WILL be played at my wedding.

[lytzelly]

I love the way the song can relate to anyone who is in love, not just any certain faith or creed or race, etc.

[EmoElmoOnHigh]

This is so going to be my wedding song...I love his music so much.

[PngnCake]

This is amazing. The text is set perfectly, Whitacre never fails to do the text more than justice. The best part about this choral work is the ah's at the end. The first time i listened to this (while reading the poem) i was apprehensive about how Whitacre was going to end it. (he's a genius so i shouldn't have worried) His technique of having the chorus just sing ah after the last line effectively proves music expresses emotions in ways words fail to do

[THSChoir]

"Full of Laughter" actually sounds like people laughing. This is what I love about Whitacre. He has a way of making me hear things that I've never heard.  "The omen" section is so extremely beautiful. When the choir sings "blue sky", my spine tingles. Ah, who wants to get married?!

[mrboycom]

Most people thinks that marriage is the happiest thing ever but i said wrong, wanting to marriage is a desire. Just think how long we suffer to find couple and we should worry and take care couple. Also we will have a hard time raising son. It is just more thing to carry for human. But the emotion is lying us, nature is using a desire and emotion as a bait to lure human animals to trap. Think long. Look inside our self carefully.

[moosefart]

Bleh---- all mainstream marriages ceremonies and NONE are of any other ethnic or religious background other than common protestant faiths. The song is lovely but this video does not represent "marriage" in my eyes.

[bbgum12345]

@moosefart what would represent marriage to you then? An orgy?

[moosefart]

@bbgum12345 How about something without 5k wedding dresses, posed photo ops (which cost thousands no doubt), a several carat wedding ring etc. etc. When I think of " This marriage" I tend to think of my family, children, my role in my community and my Faith. The fact that you mention an "orgy" simply tells me what marriage means to you and only you.

[cesca07]

@moosefart. i agree, sometimes ppl focus 2 much on how things look or r supposed 2 b. we forget that marriage is personal & is tailored 2 the individual(s). these simple photos & such r representations of American view on marriage; marriage is more than happy faces & rings, gowns & family.

I think this song is fairly universal, & that it could possibly b used in any wedding, I mean if i were a composer & i wrote such a gorgeous piece about a significant occasion i would want it 2 b used by many

[jboyermusic]

@moosefart yeah but this is probably the type of marriage Eric Whitacre had in mind when he wrote this.

[TheNickhis]

@moosefart "I am out of words to describe how spirit mingles in the marriage."

[federalbureau]

Marry me girl be the fairy to my world

Be my very own constellation

A teenage bride with a baby inside

Getting high on information

And buy me a star on the boulevard

It's Californication

[Waffle281]

So I just realized the meaning of the Ahh's and Ooh's after the last line of words in this song! Since he says "I am out of words to describe how spirit mingles in this marriage," he is using music to say what words cannot... how lovely!

[Tibbershet]

@Waffle281 Amazing, isn't it?? The music speaks for itself in this song. Throw out all the words and the music would still be just as beautiful... This is just a great example of how amazing Eric Whitacre really is and how much passion he has in his heart for love and how much love he has for his wife.

[THSChoir]

Every chord in this song is absolute perfection. Eric Whitacre has an ear for music that is so incredible. Each and every piece that he has composed has been truly beautiful. I'm not an emotional person, but his songs take to places that I've never been before.

[Tibbershet]

Isn't it great... how music can just bring out emotions you never knew you had locked up inside of you? Isn't it great where this stuff takes you? Eric Whitacre writes truly breathtaking music. Thank God he's here now with us.

[freemusiclover8]

this song is great, and it is great to learn and sing

[hch5]

we are currently learning this song and it's such a beautiful piece.!! i love singing it everyday and i look forward to it everyday!! another amazing song my Eric Whitacer!!!

[washbootie]

the arrangement is beautiful, thanks for sharing. it's just too bad that the lyrics don't even mention anything about God and the sanctity of marriage

[mattbw09]

@washbootie Yeah and too bad he doesn't address gender roles, divorce, adultery or a need for open communication... Come on people. Lets enjoy the song for what it is and take in its beauty with wondering what it "could" have been...

[whenflying]

To each his own meaning. :)

[Tibbershet]

@washbootie I don't know how you got thumbed down... Yeah this song is wonderful, but it should have said something about the Sanctity of marriage and how it makes you grow closer to the Lord.

[savagelitlheart]

This made me cry. :)

[lilylessons]

Anyone want get married

[Csherpan42]

sang this for Eric Whitacre, and made him cry (: Have to say, our choir was very proud of themselves.

[amvanhoesen]

My choir sang this, sleep, lily and lux, for Eric Whitacre himself and it was absolutely amazing.

[11Chimp]

Then ur choir is friggin amazing then, and lucky. To sing for the composer and get complimented on his works. Major infinente cudos.

[nikoakfan]

beautiful, marriage between a man and a woman

[Shogway]

Or between two men, or two women.

[stickemgiggi]

NOT!

[friendlycoffeedoll]

its so free and hauntingly ethereal :]

[sarenna18]

Beautiful song.

[akowns]

my choir sang this last year, and i must say it is probably one of the most beautiful songs i have ever heard. hands down

[destaniofhearts]

My choir, Amphion, just sang this last year. I love this song. We sang it with a slower tempo though. I love Eric Whitacre's works. Thanks for the vid.

[lifegavemelemons132]

i just love this song!!! my choir is singing it this year...hope we can pull it off! lol

[cdaae3]

omg why the f does this have to be so gorgeous... "I am out of words to describe how spirit lingers in this marriage...ahh ohh ooo"

I can't take it.

[KnucklesEchidna125]

This song always gets me...it's so beautiful!

*eyes water* I love the way this piece is sung!!

[Aphotic0221]

For about three centuries after Jesus Christ's death (the beginning of christianity) marriage was viewed as a private, and required nothing religious.

In the twelfth century, marriage and love were thought to be INCOMPATIBLE.

It wasn't until 1563 that it was even required to have a priest overseeing a marriage.

Make no mistake, marriage as a religious institution is still a *relatively* new thing, and marriage certainly isn't based on any religion.

[Aphotic0221]

Marriage can be traced as far back as, and probably farther than, Hammurabi's Code, and it was a legal institution. It can only be guessed as to what the original purpose of marriage is. It could have been sexual rights to the woman the man was marrying, or paternal rights to whatever children they had had or would have had.

Even in European history, marriage was a business agreement between two families.

[Aphotic0221]

As far as I've ever seen, there are two arguments for same sex marriages. Love, and the rights obtained through marriage. I give you this: if a man truly loves another man, why is marriage such a necessity? Can they not love each other if they aren't married? And then isn't it just about publicizing their love? If it's rights, what's wrong with a civil union? Why does it have to be a marriage?

That said, marriage IS NOT inheritly a religious institution, let alone a Christian institution.

[KamuntKurush]

It's because "separate but equal" has never, EVER worked in ANY human society.

[polyopulis]

response to Aphotic

Just the word marriage means a lot to some people. A lot more than something "dry" and lawyerly sounding like "civil union". Also, they feel like a civil union is not the same as a marriage, just some technical thing. Also, regardless of how marriage is not inherently a religious institution, people think it is or treat it as if it were. While these arguments are rational and logical, rationality and logic have no place in love.

Those are the views I have observed.

[ghostlat]

You are correct. Because from my experiences, love is NOT rational. Love is NOT logical. Excellent point.

[BGMSunshine]

marriage is between any two people that love eachother. i dont understand why all the religious ass holes need to try to ruin someone elses happiness. it doesnt directly affect you, so shut the fuck up about it. are you marrying another man if your a man, or another woman if your a woman? if not, then SHUT UP!

[thedogcalledBambi]

@BGMSunshine The story behind this song is that Eric Whitacre wrote this for his wife on their seventh anniversary. It is sweet if you really listen to the lyrics. It was so good that he had it published. It is beautiful. Just pay attention to that. Please.

[HollowGroundsInc]

I want this song to be played at my wedding. :)

[SalvationEternity777]

Marriage is between a man and a woman of course :)

[eltigreoso]

But what I say to YOU I say to all, Keep on the watch. Mark 13:37

[operaman20]

AMEN!! my friend! :)

[whenflying]

Sounds like someone is a divorcee.

[Shabers128]

Well... Maybe this will change your mind. Marriage between two people is very a very blessed thing. There is no closer relationship with God than through marriage and it is a great thing that our Lord has given us the opportunity to do. And Marriage isn't about Bills. No amount of money can even come CLOSE to love. If everybody were religious, there would be no stress in marriage, there would be understanding and love. Marriage is a sacred vow that you take before God.

[Shabers128]

People must understand that marriage is a religious process in which you grow closer to not only your lover, but closer to the Lord. And to you people out there who aren't religious and who get married, I feel bad. Because without God, there is no love. And without love, there is no marriage. You see? It all ties together. The reason I feel bad for not religious people who get married is because marriage IS religious. I don't have to say it again.

[5tonyvvvv]

good point,are u christian,,also i dont believe in evolution.but if man was always man,,who gave him the tools to survive?? like how to create and control fire,and make bows and spears to hunt?

[yoyoma1428]

um maybe man had a fucking brain and made it himself...

[Methoxypropan]

People are able to love eachother without marriage or religion. I'm not religious and I don't need to prove something to a person I love by marrying her. In my world a god doesn't exist although there is love in my life.

[TheCoopshow]

Well I'm glad you feel sorry for those people, Mr. Biggot. Hopefully it deflates your head a bit. People can love whether or not they believe in God. It's an emotion. Unless you're a robot, you're capable of it. Sure, some people like us accept marriage as a means to become closer with God, blah blah blah, but that doesn't make everyone else less human. Your beliefs are bitter. Stop shoving them down our throats.

And PLEASE keep your self-contradictions to a minimum.

[Pianist4308]

thats not true!!! some of the happiest people i kno are married with kids

[cooper92i]

amazing. water night and sleep i think are his bst though

[xbcg9489x]

This piece is so brilliant in it's simplicity, and the end is just incredible. I love how he was out or words, and then idk if anyone else noticed this, but he ended on a dominant chord, making the last phrase inconclusive, with no resolution, because that's how he wants his marriage to be! no resolution! UGH! absolutely stunning!

[PoisonPeachPit]

Not necessarily Sally's body; she's quite busy. She has some corpse friends who just kind of stand in for her.

[fatisphat3]

well, i created this story, i made a mistake. If you actually post this on any video, she comes and kills you and your family, sorry about that Bass.

[ChoirMusician]

Like this song!

[xobeLIEveox]

Absolutely love this song. My Chamber Choir sang This Marriage along with With a Lily in Your Hand and Lux Aurumque about a month ago; we were going to do A Boy and a Girl but we preferred This Marriage instead. We took it at a slower pace though, but in my opinion it sounded much better. The choir who sang this did a very good job. Two years back we sang Sleep. Astoundingly beautiful music. Eric Whitacre is possibly the most amazing composer in my opinion. I haven't heard one distasteful piece.

[mewrain]

I agree whole heartedly. We sang With a Lily in Your Hand last year, and this year we are singing This Marriage in choir. His never ceases to bring out some of the strongest emotions in me.

[TheCoopshow]

*sigh* Goosebumps every time. So beautiful! And a rather moving set of pics to, if I may.

[Csherpan42]

I'm singing this in my choir right now, I'm surprised at how well we're doing so far, maybe it's because I sent this vid out to all of them! I lovelovelovelove this song, it's so incredibly beautiful, and my choir and I could only hope to get to this level, which I know we won't because we're only a highschool choir. I love this version, it gives me goose bumps.

[e5115271]

May these vows and this marriage be blessed. May it be sweet milk, this marriage, like wine and halvah. May this marriage offer fruit and shade like the date palm. May this marriage be full of laughter, our every day a day in paradise. May this marriage be a sign of compassion, a seal of happiness here and hereafter. May this marriage have a fair face and a good name, an omen as welcomes the moon in a clear blue sky. I am out of words to describe how spirit mingles in this marriage.

[randomizerca]

@e5115271

[omgafilangi]

Can you imagine being his wife and having him conduct a choir performing this song for you for the first time?? Just marvelous, absolutely lovely.

[colorguardprincess]

The absolute best line: I have no more words... and the chorus sings ah. Whenever we sing this, it makes me feel so...sweet? romantic? I don't know, but the love is so present. Eric Whitacre does such a good job! (I love this and Sleep!)

[jlagirl]

Oh I love this song! It brings tears to my eyes every time. I sang it in college and have never forgotten it since.

[cdaae3]

wow what a beautiful recording. I especially like that you can hear the eighth note pulses during the ah-oh-oo section at the very end, After the poet is "out of words". uhh, gorgeous

[musicsoul24]

Yes, CountingCassie, he did.. It was a 7th anniversary present I believe actually

[msumuel]

I believe this is from the "Polyphony" CD. Simple but beautiful; fav. whitacre piece!

[Varjele]

it is

[ethanhines]

Does anyone know the name of the choir that performed this?

[rachaelsarobot]

my choir did this.

its so beautiful.

[LittleColoratura]

This song embodies love.

Eric Whitacre is a genius!

[musicaltheatrejunky]

The basses are a little overbearing...but that is actually the way I like the balance of choirs to be. :) It is such a beautiful blend. For once the sopranos are not overbearing the sound of the group. Bravo!

[BotShot91]

Amen!

[Mimameior]

Beautiful song by Whitacre.

Slightly ambivalent as to the photos - I know that the song's about marriage, but some of the snaps just don't fit. Well, that's my opinion. It's a good effort though.

[MusikMajor]

Which group is this? Sounds like Polyphony.

[gsjostrom18]

Yep

[supb123]

well done! i was given the privelage to work with the man himself on this song

[tlehman1]

This is a supreme performance.  The diction is likely hard to hear because it's a youtube video.

[lofti008]

Good performance but couldn't understand most of the text. Diction, people, diction.

[tacfoley]

Beth a 'n arddun caniad! Allais gwrando ar 'i ail a ail.

tac

[Nincynoodle]

This is the kind of music that defines a marriage from the soul. Eric Whitacre is not of this time, but am so glad he chose THIS life with this music, this passion, intensity and this soul...

[cadenowl1]

I'm singing this song in quire!

[heirofslytherinn]

Umm... why is my old English teacher in this video with his wife?! Beautiful song, by the way. I love Whitacre.

[zaardele]

So sweet... with all heart.

[1337kamikaze]

I love this song so much, prefer singing, but it still gives me chills every time I hear it...

[cydthesongbird]

What a sweet video!