I don’t know what the future king and queen of England have chosen to sing at their wedding, but here are a few suggestions:
- “Crown Him with Many Crowns”
This is what the Queen Mum chose to have sung at her funeral a couple of years ago. At least future king William’s great-grandmother knew who really deserved a crown. - “Jerusalem”
It’s not in most American hymnals but you probably remember it being sung in the movie Chariots of Fire, and it has those wonderful lines by Blake: “And did those feet in ancient time/Walk upon England’s mountain’s green…” Why not? - “Amazing Grace”
It’s easy to forget that this hymn, much loved in America, came from the pen of an English clergyman. A former slave trader, he finally saw the spiritual light during a storm at sea. Every couple needs grace to weather the marital storms. - “Onward Christian Soldiers”
What? At a wedding? Come on, it’s really fun to sing, and the music was written by half of that quintessential British team of Gilbert and Sullivan. Should William and Kate have any battles, wouldn’t it be good to know that the “cross of Jesus” is going on before? - “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
A day after the royal wedding, my wife and I will celebrate our 28th anniversary. How well I remember singing this hymn at our un-royal wedding when love, both earthly and divine, brought us together. It’s kept us together ever since.
