Gordon Lightfoot Forums - wedding song (there is love)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Much2Lose (Post 130117)

A very militant feminst I know objected to the song due to the line, which she viewed as sexist, "Woman draw her life from man and gives it back again."

Although I initially agreed, I pointed out that it could be viewed as a reference to marital love, sex and childbirth. However, in that case, the better lyric would be "new life" instead of "her life," so I sing it, when I do, with my change.

The quote is from way back in 2000

Just a bit of background, please . . .

When Noel wrote The Wedding Song he donated it to The Public Domain. He receives no royalties from the song. The lyrics are based upon Bible Scripture
[both Old and New Testaments] as Noel is a Christian. But, in no way would he ever dictate how another would choose to adapt the song. Hence, to The Public Domain.

From Noel's perspective [and mine, btw] the abiding word is *Love*

May I please explain a bit . . .

"Sexism" doesn't exist in either Noel's song or the Scripture from which it's taken.
It's a matter of understanding - which can often be challenging.

Gen 2:24 re the creation of man and woman is the source for "takes her life from man" The "gives it back again" references the absolute equality in marriage as drawn from Eph 5:22 [arguably the most misunderstood man/woman relationship descriptive in Scripture] Just read on to Eph 5:31 - *two as one* is a Wonderment.

Matt 18:20 is the source of "wherever two or more of you gather in his name there is Love" Love is capitalized for it refrences God - drawn from 1 John 4:8
"God is Love"

"A man must leave his mother and a woman leave her home" - that's from Gen 2:24, Mark 10:8, Matt 19:5 - well, you get the idea. Way to many places to list

Didn't mean to turn this thing into a Bible Study - sorry - just wanted y'all to know that Noel wrote the tune w/ specific Scripture in mind - excluding none and embracing all.

So, take The Wedding Song as your own and adapt it as you find comfortable
Noel don't mind. He wrote it from Love and gives it in Love - no conditions.

Freely given. Freely receive.

As Noel signs off: "For the Love of it All"

Rez