WEDDING BELLS
(Claude Boone)

Bill Carlisle - 1947
Hank Williams - 1949
Margaret Whiting & Jimmy Wakely - 1949
Kenny Roberts - 1949
Jesse Rogers - 1949
Hank Snow - 1956
Johnnie & Jack - 1957
Marty Robbins - 1958
George Hamilton IV - 1958
Tommy Steele - 1958
Bill Anderson - 1961
George Jones - 1962
Jerry Lee Lewis - 1963
Hank Williams Jr. (with Hank Williams Sr.) - 1964
Dean Martin - 1965
Stonewall Jackson - 1966
Charlie Rich - 1967
Conway Twitty - 1971
Mel Tillis - 1972
The Statler Brothers - 1973
Glen Campbell - 1973
Billy Swan - 1975
Margo Smith - 1983
D.L. Menard - 1985
Rattlesnake Annie - 1989

Also recorded by: Big Tom & The Mainliners; Daniel O'Donnell;
Vernon Oxford; Johnny Duncan; Kenny Roberts; The Geezinslaws;
Billy Fury; Jumpin' Gene Simmons; Porter Wagoner; John Prine;
Lonnie Donegan; Larry Butler ....... and others.




I have the invitation that you sent me
You wanted me to see you change your name
I couldn't stand to see you wed another
But, dear, I hope you're happy just the same

Wedding bells are ringing in the chapel
That should be ringing out for you and me
Down the aisle with someone else you're walking
Those wedding bells will never ring for me

I planned a little cottage in the valley
I even bought a little band of gold
I hoped someday I'd place it on your finger
But now the future looks so dark and cold

Wedding bells are ringing in the chapel
I hear the children laughing out with glee
At home alone I hang my head in sorrow
Those wedding bells will never ring for me

I fancy that I see a bunch of roses
A blossom from an orange tree in your hair
While the organ plays 'I love you truly'
Please let me pretend that I am there

Wedding bells they say will ring in Heaven
As the angel chorus sweetly sings
But as long as I am on this earth, dear
Those wedding bells for me will never ring


**********


As recorded by John Prine (coupled with "Let's Turn Back The Years"):



I got the invitation that you sent me,
You wanted me to see you change your name
I couldn't stand to see you wed another
But dear I hope you're happy just the same

I planned a little cottage in the valley,
I even bought that little band of gold
I thought some day I'd place it on your finger,
But now the future looks so dark and cold

Wedding bells are ringing in the chapel
That should be ringing now for you and me
Down the aisle with someone else you're walking
Those wedding bells will never ring for me

Darling, let's turn back the years
And go back to yesterday
Let's pretend that time has stopped
And I didn't go away

We had our love to make us happy
Love wasn't meant to bring us tears
Love like ours should never die
So, darling, let's turn back the years

I fancy that I see a bunch of roses
A blossom from an orange tree in your hair
While the organ plays "I Love You Truly"
Just let me pretend that I am there

Wedding bells are ringing in the chapel
That should be ringing now for you and me
Down the aisle with someone else you're walking
Those wedding bells will never ring for me
Those wedding bells will never ring for me