They shall be happy
from The Fairy Queen by
Suitable for: Civil Ceremony | Signing the Registers | Wedding March
This is cheerful dance music for a choir celebrating a wedding, and makes a great wedding 'march'.
Full Title They shall be happy (from The Fairy Queen) – Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Notes From Purcell's semi-opera, The Fairy Queen, 1689, Z629/50e. The song is only 17 bars, which makes it a bit short - I bulk it up with some dances of the period, to make a kind of rondo.
Duration depends exactly on what is included. Once through by itself, about 45 seconds.
Performers required
- Choir accompanied by Organ or Piano
- 2 solo singers accompanied by Organ or Piano
Source of printed music There is an arrangement by William Long on CPDL. Organ pieces: The St Catherine (Rigaudon) by John Barrett (found in Henry Purcell and his Contemporaries (Hinrichsen No.9) p.19 - green cover), and 10. Hornpipe. Tune likely by John Eccles. Found in Henry Purcell Twenty Keyboard Pieces and one by Orlando Gibbons, edited by Davitt Moroney, ABRSM (blue cover)
They shall be as happy, happy, as they're fair,
Love shall fill all the places of care;
And ev'ry time the Sun shall display his rising light,
It shall be to them a new Wedding day,
And when he sets a new Nuptial night.
