Released April 2000 Length 5:00 | Recorded July 17, 1999 Dublin Writer(s) Traditional | |
Genre Instrumental, Celtic, Folk-rock | ||
"Haste to the Wedding" is a Scottish jig, also adopted into Irish tradition, in D Major with standard AABB format.
Contents
The earliest known source for the tune is James Oswald's "Caledonian Pocket Companion", volume 10, page 8 (London, 1759), where it is titled "The Small Pin Cushion". No source or composer is listed, which in Oswald's collections sometimes means he wrote it himself.
"The tune 'Come, Haste to the Wedding', of Gaelic origin, was introduced in the pantomime 'The Elopement' in 1767. This version is known as the Manx tune and was printed by the Percy society in 1846. It is the basis for the Manx ballad, 'The Capture of Carrickfergusby,' written by Thurot in 1760 (Linscott)." One of the tunes associated with the dance "Lady in the Lake" in N.H./ Widely known in the USA: in the repertory of Buffalo Valley, Pa., dance fiddler Harry Daddario. This tune, known variously as “Haste to the Wedding,” “Come Haste,” “Rural Felicity” and even “The Rules of Felicity”.
Lyrics
The tune came from an operetta The Elopement (1767)
"Haste to the Wedding/Rural Felicity"
Come haste to the wedding ye friends and ye neighbors,
The lovers their bliss can no longer delay.
Forget all your sorrows your cares and your labors,
And let every heart beat with rapture today.
Come, come one and all, attend to my call,
And revel in pleasures that never can cloy.
Come see rural felicity,
Which love and innocence ever enjoy.
Let Envy, Let Pride, Let Hate & Ambition,
Still Crowd to, & beat at the breast of the Great,
To Such Wretched Passions we Give no admission,
But Leave them alone to the wise ones of State,
We Boast of No wealth, but Contentment & Health,
In mirth & in Friendship, our moments employ
Come see rural felicity,
Which love and innocence ever enjoy.
With Reason we taste of Each Heart Stirring pleasure,
With Reason we Drink of the full flowing Bowl,
Are Jocund & Gay, But 'tis all within measure,
For fatal excess will enslave the free Soul,
Then Come at our bidding to this Happy wedding,
No Care Shall obtrude here, our Bliss to annoy,
Come see rural felicity,
Which love and innocence ever enjoy.
Popular Music
Haste to the Wedding was recorded by English Folk Rock Group Fairport Convention as part of a medley of tunes called - Royal Selleccion Number 13 - on the 1977 album "The Bonny Bunch Of Roses".
Haste to the Wedding has been extensively played by Irish pop rock band The Corrs during their live performances. The most notable performance is the one from their 1999 concert The Corrs Live at Lansdowne Road which was later included as a bonus track on the special edition release of their 2000 album In Blue.
In 2005, The Corrs recorded a studio version of Haste to the Wedding for their Irish-themed album Home.