I need a suggestion for a special poem or reading

Hey Jordyn,

I absolutely love the following poem, it's called SIR, written by a friend of mine named Damian Morgan.

I think this would honour both grandparents and any other digger present at your wedding. Enjoy your wedding day and happy to help!

Sir - would it help if I shed a tear
I swear it's the first time since this time last year
My spine is a tingle - my throat is all dry
As I stand to attention for all those who died

I watch the flag dancing half way down the pole
That damn bugle player sends chills to my soul
I feel the pride and the sorrow - there's nothing the same
As standing to attention on ANZAC Day

So Sir - on behalf of the young and the free
Will you take a message when you finally do leave
To your mates that are lying from Tobruk to the Somme
The legend of your bravery will always live on

I've welcomed Olympians back to our shore
I've cheered baggy green caps and watched Wallabies score
But when I watch you marching (Sir) in that parade
I know these are the memories that never will fade

So Sir - on behalf of the young and the free
Will you take a message when you finally do leave
It's the least we can do (Sir) to repay the debt

We'll always remember you - Lest We Forget

Adam Straney

The Master of Ceremony

0419974756

Hi Jordyn, I'd be happy to help. I have a selection of readings. Please email your request to lizloadsman@gmail.com 

Absolutely no problem at all. I offer my couples a book of readings and poems that they can add to the ceremony, once again making it more personal. You can also look up on the internet to see if you can find something perfect for you. I have numerous ideas but there must be hundreds more! Go for it, I love it and the ceremony becomes YOURS!!

Hi Jordyn and congratulations on your coming marriage

I often use "Oh the places you'll go" by dr seuss   you can ham it up

hope this helps

warmly

Jan Littlejohn

Hi Jordyn, what a lovely idea. Your Celebrant should be able to help you with something that would be suitable or you can check pintrest anf google which both have numerous readings and poems for specific occassions.

Cheers

Marina Payne Celebrancy

if you are still looking, email me , i have a couple of pdf's - Mario Treasured Ceremonies

Perhaps Love

Perhaps love is like a resting place
A shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort
It is there to keep you warm
And in those times of trouble
When you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home

Perhaps love is like a window
Perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer
It wants to show you more
And even if you lose yourself
And don't know what to do
The memory of love will see you through

Oh, love to some is like a cloud
To some as strong as steel
For some a way of living
For some a way to feel
And some say love is holding on
And some say letting go
And some say love is everything
And some say they don't know

Perhaps love is like the ocean
Full of conflict, full of pain
Like a fire when it's cold outside
Or thunder when it rains
If I…should live forever

And all my dreams come true

My memories of love will be of you.

I married a really good friend of mine and her partner on Anzac day a couple of years ago I researched on line some readings and that was where I found the one that suited my couple I do have a book that has 600 poems in it should you like to contact you I an happy to share.

Hi Jordyn,

If it was my wedding and I was dedicating a song or poem to my grandparents \I would say or sing Amazing Grace, how appropriate for the time, war, sadness or even happiness this is a very appropriate song. Sit down in a quiet spot, play it and really listen to the words it is amazing and brings up so many emotions to so many. It comes from the heart which when you marry words should come from.

Regards

Twobeonecelebrant

Hi Jordan B.

For the Veterans there is a song written by a famous Scottish songwriter who migrated to Australia named Eric Bogle. It is called "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda". It is very emotional. Maybe appropriate for you maybe not. But it is poetry and played by the right musician it is truly memorable.Hope this helps.The words are below.

Peter Gardiner, Celebrant and Musician.

Verse 1

When I was a young man I carried a pack

And I lived the free life of a rover,

From the Murray's green banks to the dusty outback,

I waltzed my matilda all over.

Then in 1915, the country said 'Son,

There's no time for rovin', there's work to be done,'

And they gave me a tin hat, and gave me a gun,

And they sent me away to the war.

Chorus: And the band played Waltzing Matilda,

As our ship pulled away from the quay

And amidst all the cheers, the flag waving and tears

We sailed of for Gallipoli.

Verse 2

How well I remember that terrible day

When our blood stained the sand and the water,

And how in that hell that they call Suvla Bay,

We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter.

Johnny Turk he was waiting, he'd primed himself well,

He showered us with bullets, and rained us with shell,

And in ten minutes flat, he'd blown us to hell,

Nearly blew us right back to Australia.

Chorus: And the band played Waltzing Matilda,

As we stopped to bury the slain.

We buried ours and the Turks buried their's,

Then we started all over again.

Verse 3

They collected the crippled, the wounded and maimed

And the shipped us back home to Australia,

The armless, the legless, the blind and insane

All the brave wounded heroes of Suvla.

And when our ship pulled into Circular Quay,

I looked at the place where my legs used to be,

I thanked Christ there was nobody waiting for me,

To grieve and to mourn and to pity.

Chorus: And the band played Waltzing matilda

As they carried us down the gangway,

But nobody cheered, they just stood there and stared,

And then turned their faces away.

Verse 4

So now every April I sit on my porch,

And I watch the parade pass before me,

And I see my old comrades how proudly they march,

Reliving old dreams and past glories.

But the old men march slowly their bones stiff and sore,

Tired old men from a tired old war,

And the young people ask what are they marching for,

And I ask myself the same question.

Chorus: And the band played Waltzing Matilda

And the old men they answer the call,

But year by year those old men disappear

Soon no one will march there at all

Hi Jordyn,

How lovely that you want to acknowledge so many important people on your special day.

I encourage couples to this outside the square of standard readings, do you have someone in mind to do the reading for you? Perhaps they could create a special reading just for you and your partner.

With acknowledging your grandparents and their vintage weddings, I would incorporate that in the opening of the ceremony, showing your gratitude for them showing how to love and be loved, being fantastic role models in living in marriage and you honour this on your special day with a vintage theme.

In the same respect, as we stand here today to celebrate, Jordyn and x we understand that many people fought to make our great country what it is today and we are grateful that we could have the opportunities that have been given to us by their bravery. This could be added to the start of a reading:

It doesn't take much

Love is simple, it doesn't take much

Love is easy and asks for nothing but tender care

But when times are tough, it knows you will be there

Love of the bush and all things that grow

Builds strength and shines rainbows

Love is built on a tender touch

Smile and kiss, it's the simplest things for us.

Today you stand here together as one

Beauty of nature surrounds us

Together with love you can conquer anything

For your love will always be there through thick and thin

With love being the foundation of this marriage today

May the things that follow lead to treasure and happiness with little despair

Because through all of this your love will still be there!

Justine Milne, 2014

All the best with your special day.