American Old Time Song Lyrics: 43 The Fatal Wedding

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 43

THE FATAL WEDDING.
Copyright, 1893; by Spaulding, Bonnier & Co.
Words by W. a. Windom. Music by Gussie L Davis.

The wedding bells were ringing on a moonlight winter's night,
The church was decorated, al! within was gay and bright;
A mother with her baby came and saw the lights aglow;
She thought of how those same bells chimed for her three years ago!
"I'd like to be admitted, sir," she told the sexton old,
"Just for the sake of baby, to protect him from the cold."
He told her that the wedding there was for the rich and grand,
And with the eager, watching crowd, outside she'd have to stand.

Refrain
While the wedding bells were ringing while the bride and groom were there,
Marching up the aisle together, as the organ pealed an air;
Telling tales of fond affection, vowing never more to part,
Just another fatal wedding, just another broken heart.

She begged the sexton once again to let her pass inside-
For baby's sake you may step in the gray-haired man replied,
"If any one knows reason why this couple should not wed,
Speak now, or hold your peace- forever," soon the preacher said.
"I must object," the woman cried, with voice so meek and mild,
"The bridegroom is my husband, sir, and this our little child."
"What proof have you," the preacher asked. "My infant," she replied.
She raised her babe, then knelt to pray, the little one had died.-Refrain.

The parents of the bride then took the outcast by the arm­We'll care for you through life, they said; you've saved our child from harm;
The outcast wife, the bride and parents, quickly drove away;
The husband died by his own hand before the break of day.
No wedding feast was spread that night, two graves were made next day-
One for the little baby, and in one the father lay.
The story has been often told, by firesides warm and bright,
Of bride and groom, of outcast, and the fatal wedding night.-Refrain.