Tennessee Wedding

Tennessee Wedding

Rodney Crowell

Let's mock despair with food and wine
And tango like we're Argentine
While in our wake rose petals rise and fall
With expectation in full bloom
We'll cast ourselves as bride and groom
What love has joined together says it all

Life's beauty pageant queen of hearts
Those kisses from horse-drawn carts
With scented breath and gloved-white hands
Your every wish her soft command

And when we arrived as honored guests
Where John and June were laid to rest
In Tennessee the land that gave you life
We'll stand before those near and dear
And speak these words for all to hear
From now until forever, be my wife

For your father's arms are hallowed yes
To wear your mother's wedding dress
With a parasol and walking cane
We'll set our course down lover's lane

Marry me
My dark-eded pearl
My raven-haired country girl
Marry me
And we'll sail away home

When another round of day and night
Blinks off and on like Christmas lights
Each parting shot fired low across the bow
With every breath a ray of hope
We'll grieve our losses fully yoked
To life's eternal passing into now.

For generations long since gone
And those yet born
Will soldier on
Til Kingdom come, and then some
I promise to be true to you

Marry me
My dark-eyed swan
My morning star
My evening sun
Marry me
And we'll sail away home