The "Bridal Chorus" (German: "Treulich geführt") from the 1850 opera Lohengrin by German composer Richard Wagner, who also wrote the words of the opera, is a musical piece played as the bride walks into the ceremony at many formal weddings in the Western world. In English-speaking countries, it is often called "Here Comes the Bride" or "Wedding March." However, the term "wedding march" can refer to any music played in a march rhythm during the bride's entrance or exit, such as Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March." Wagner's piece became well-known when it was used for the processional at the wedding of Victoria, Princess Royal, to Prince Frederick William of Prussia in 1858.
In the opera Lohengrin, the chorus is sung by the women in the wedding party after the ceremony, as they walk with the character Elsa to her bridal chamber.
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Although the chorus is often played on an organ without singing at most weddings, in Lohengrin, the wedding party sings these words at the beginning of act three.
Treulich geführt ziehet dahin, wo euch der Segen der Liebe bewahr'! Siegreicher Mut, Minnegewinn eint euch in Treue zum seligsten Paar. Streiter der Tugend, schreite voran! Zierde der Jugend, schreite voran! Rauschen des Festes seid nun entronnen, Wonne des Herzens sei euch gewonnen! Duftender Raum, zur Liebe geschmückt, nehm' euch nun auf, dem Glanze entrückt. Treulich geführt ziehet nun ein, wo euch der Segen der Liebe bewahr'! Siegreicher Mut, Minne so rein eint euch in Treue zum seligsten Paar.
Faithfully guided, draw near to where the blessing of love shall preserve you! Triumphant courage, the reward of love, joins you in faith as the happiest of couples! Champion of virtue, proceed! Jewel of youth, proceed! Flee now the splendour of the wedding feast, may the delights of the heart be yours! This sweet-smelling room, decked for love, now takes you in, away from the splendour. Faithfully guided, draw now near to where the blessing of love shall preserve you! Triumphant courage, love so pure, joins you in faith as the happiest of couples!
Eight women then sing a blessing to a separate melody.
Wie Gott euch selig weihte, zu Freude weihn euch wir; In Liebesglücks Geleite denkt lang' der Stunde hier!
As God hath blessedly consecrated you, we consecrate you to joy; attended by love's bliss, think long upon the present hour!
The chorus then gradually proceeds offstage, repeating a slightly modified version of the previous words.
Treulich bewacht bleibet zurück, wo euch der Segen der Liebe bewahr! Siegreicher Mut, Minne und Glück eint euch in Treue zum seligsten Paar. Streiter der Tugend, bleibe daheim! Zierde der Jugend, bleibe daheim! Rauschen des Festes seid nun entronnen, Wonne des Herzens sei euch gewonnen! Duftender Raum, zur Liebe geschmückt, nehm euch nun auf, dem Glanze entrückt. Treulich bewacht bleibet zurück, wo euch der Segen der Liebe bewahr! Siegreicher Mut, Minne und Glück eint euch in Treue zum seligsten Paar!
Faithfully guarded, remain behind, where the blessing of love shall preserve you! Triumphant courage, love and happiness, joins you in faith as the most blessed of couples! Champion of virtue, stay where you are! Jewel of youth, stay where you are! Flee now the splendour of the wedding feast, may the delights of the heart be yours! This sweet-smelling room, decked for love, now takes you in, away from the splendour. Faithfully guided, remain behind, where the blessing of love shall preserve you! Triumphant courage, love and happiness, joins you in faith as the most blessed of couples!
Religious attitudes
Some Christian churches do not support using the "Bridal Chorus" during wedding ceremonies. A Frequently Asked Questions section on the website of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod explains that opposition to the music began before World War I. At that time, Lutherans believed that any kind of theater was not appropriate, and Richard Wagner’s operas were seen as showing stories and themes from ancient non-Christian traditions. A pamphlet from the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego in 2003 stated that the "Bridal Chorus" should not be used during weddings. This is because the music comes from a theatrical performance, it is not part of a religious procession to the altar in the opera, and its common use in movies and television has made it more associated with emotional feelings than with worship.