Searching for a Song

Well actually I'm only searching for the lyrics at the moment - my intention is to set a poem or some words to music for my wedding ceremony - sort of a gift to Phil. Problem is I can't quite find the words even when sifting through other peoples'!

Anyway, thought I'd share some that I quite like so far - may end up borrowing them and adapting them for this context.

Close close all night
the lovers keep.
They turn together
in their sleep,

close as two pages
in a book
that read each other
in the dark.

Each knows all
the other knows,
learned by heart
from head to toes.

— Elizabeth Bishop

Really quite like this but not sure if there is enough for a song!

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me ye women if you can.

I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompence.

Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

- Anne Bradstreet

(Thought I might borrow this outline/concept and make it a bit more contemporary.)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

- Elizabeth Barret Browning

(Again needs not quite right but like the outline)

Stay near to me and I’ll stay near to you -
As near as you are dear to me will do,
Near as the rainbow to the rain,
The west wind to the windowpane,
As fire to the hearth, as dawn to dew.

Stay true to me and I’ll stay true to you -
As true as you are new to me will do,
New as the rainbow in the spray,
Utterly new in every way,
New in the way that what you say is true.

Stay near to me, stay true to me. I’ll stay
As near, as true to you as heart could pray.
Heart never hoped that one might be
Half of the things you are to me -
The dawn, the fire, the rainbow and the day.

- James Fenton

(This could be the one...but Phil not too keen on it so back to drawing board!)

Will let you know how my search continues and with any luck upload the song on completion! (Although that might have to wait for it's premier in July.)