leonardcohenforum.com

As I watched my fast fading copy of Austin City Limits this evening I was thinking how wonderful it would be to find a great singer to sing Joan Of Arc at my wedding. Have any of you had his songs in a formal setting like that. If so, which ones?

Welcome to another fan from Minnesota.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. My daughter was married at Norenburg Gardens at Wayzata two years ago.

My husband and I danced to "The Window" at our forty first anniversary but it wasn't a formal setting, more like waltzing around the kitchen.

That's the best place, Linda . There's nothing quite like a kitchen. So often, a very romantic room.

Welcome to the Forum, Step. I guess it was the Sony site on Leonard where a number of people have commented on playing and dancing to Leonard's songs at their weddings. I know that Dance Me to the End of Love has been a frequent choice.

Why spoil a perfectly good Cohen song at a wedding? Oop!

Woodsman wrote:Why spoil a perfectly good Cohen song at a wedding? Oop!

As the future father in law says, don't get married, you'll just get divorced anyway.
I'm still laughing.

Hi step,

I was wondering if I could take a breath, thanks.

Honesty, honestly at a wedding, I think Cohen music would be a great choice, and discussion afterwards. And by all means please feel free to have a unconventional wedding. Costs not a factor, make it as cheap as you can. Forget about all the church stuff, parking lots lined with big men in tuxedos who are going to outclass the groom, with muscle, cause they're younger (you know what they are thinking).

I think a Zen wedding would be nice. With Cohen in person singing or chanting long vowels! Or vows. He could decide.

My wife is getting sick of me calling Leonard, Andrew... Its Freudian I guess. Well, her dad is named Leonard. I must be trying to get away from him. I don't know.

some cohen songs would be appropriate for a wedding{i'm youe man, maybe 1000 kisses deep, but "joan of arc" with a bride set in fire seems a uniquely bad choice. i would not want to be your bride or in-law!

This is my point, it's not that all together depressing really. It's total love as one, your consumed, union and the ashes of the dress falling down,
That is so romantic to me, but my understanding is that all things end and start again and this is one example of our own transitory state.
For me, I chose to get out of my own way and see myself for the human I am. This song tells me I'm allowed to be one with another but as with everything there's a cost.
I say it's super sexy and beautiful. Thank you for responding.

I understand your justification, step. It will also be a unique way for people to learn of Leonard through one of his more [relatively, commercially] obscure songs. I like the thoughtful selection you've made with this song for your wedding.

~ Elizabeth

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We had "If it Be Your Will" for our first dance. Not quite what people expected, I think...

Hi Rhodes ~

Excellent . Was it played over a PA system, with Leonard doing the singing, or did a group sing it Live. If so, how did they do with it? I'm sure it did come as a surprize ~ not your typical, wedding fare .

~ Lizzytysh

Straight from "Various Positions" over the PA system. I am English, but my wife is Canadian, and we were married in Mississauga in Canada. I heard one or two laughs, but it was mainly a stunned silence, I think!

My wife is not a fan, but has learned to put up with it. She'll get there in the end, I hope!

Marvelous, Rhodes! It actually sounds to me like the proper, serious contemplation that is quite fitting for a wedding. I know Leonard's deep voice coming forth with the words from "If It Be Your Will" had an immediate impact on your guests . Good on you for your courage to depart from the norms

Here's hoping by your first anniversary ~ no later than your fifth ~ your wife will be hearing Leonard in a different light [can you hear in a light ?].

~ Lizzytysh