Wedding Song (There Is Love) by Noel Paul Stookey

Album: Paul and... (1971)

Charted: 24

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Songfacts®:

"Wedding Song (There Is Love)" is featured on Noel Paul Stookey's first solo album, which he'd recorded after Peter Paul & Mary disbanded in 1971. He wrote it for ex Peter Paul & Mary bandmate, Peter Yarrow's marriage to Marybeth McCarthy, the niece of senator and one-time presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy.
Paul Stookey's name does not appear as the author either on the record or the sheet music. Neither does he receive any of the royalties. That is because he says that after he prayed he was "given" the song. All he was required to do was to "allow the pencil to move across the page." The song is a celebration of the love of a newlywed couple and their union with God. On his website, Stookey says, "Into every songwriter's life comes a song, the source of which cannot be explained by personal experience."
The royalties of this song go directly to a trust fund called Public Domain and the monies are distributed to individuals and organizations throughout the world.
This song has been used in many weddings, and has been recorded by a number of other artists over the years. Petula Clark had a #61 hit in the US with her 1972 cover and The Captain & Tennille also covered the song for their 1976 album A Song Of Joy.
Although Stookey says he was given a song, he didn't actually ask God for one. Instead, he prayed, "How would You manifest yourself at Peter's wedding?" The answer is in the opening lyrics:

He is now to be among you
at the calling of your hearts.

Stookey originally wrote, "I am now to be among you," but he was concerned people would misunderstand the meaning. "The implication was I would be revealing myself as the Second Coming," he told the Songfacts Podcast in 2024, "and that was not the point at all. So I changed the lyric to 'He.'"

Comments: 16

Wiilliam Mims from NcInteresting to hear Denver perform "Rhymes and Reasons" and understand that there is a great deal of musical similarity between the two songs. Paul Stookey's song took something good, but not memorable and turned it into a masterpiece, both lyrically and musically. This song is timeless and the lyrics are from the heart of a man who humbly practices his devotion to God.
Kathy from FloridaThis song was played at my wedding in 1983 because my husband and I didn’t have a special song of our own. This was before I came to know the Lord. A man at a music store shared it with me and I loved it. Interesting that God is always with us even when we don’t realize it. When I listened to it again years later I was amazed it came straight from God’s Word. Thankfully these then two heathens are still together by the wonderful overflowing grace of God.
David Egg from London, EnglandLooking at timelines it would seem that JD’s song came first. His album ‘Rhymes and Reasons’ was released Oct 14th 1969 on RCA so it was obviously written some time before Stookey first performed ‘Wedding Song’ at the wedding of Peter Yarrow on Oct 18, 1969. In fact a JD version of ‘Rhymes and Reasons’ has surfaced that was from a Reprise Records session (Reprise released a Mitchell Trio album featuring some original JD songs including ‘Jet Plane’ in 1967).
Stookey eventually recorded ‘Wedding Song’ for his solo album ‘Paul and’, and it wasn’t released until June 28, 1971.
I only recently rediscovered this when I heard Nana Mouskouri’s version of ‘Wedding Song’ from 1974 and in my head I was just hearing ‘Rhymes and Reasons’. I immediately played them next to each other and I’m afraid the first 3 lines (music) of the verses of ‘Wedding Song’ are a direct lift from ‘Rhymes and Reasons’ (obviously once transposed either way to be in matching key signatures. I can spell out the melody and chords if necessary).
JD’s career didn’t really take off until after April 1971 with the release of the ‘Poems Prayers and Promises’ album and the No. 2 single ‘Take Me Home Country Roads’ so a cynic might say that Stookey may have felt on safe ground to go ahead with the release. It was 2 years after ‘Rhymes and Reasons’ had been released and failed to make a mark. JD and Stookey also apparently had a good relationship due to PPM’s hit cover of ‘Jet Plane’ and management
The whole ‘royalties to charity’ thing smacks of being caught out and JD being the good ‘ole boy that he was coming to a compromise agreement and no fuss.
Of course it may have been used unconsciously but I think Stookey would have known that song well for at least 2 years so to say he wasn’t aware of the huge similarity really stretches belief.
I'm Your Huckleberry from NyKathy you nailed it with your post, thank you. I for one believe that a song writer has and can be moved by God. The things I have had happen to me in my life I don't want to say, but I'm sure it happened here. The first time I heard this song was at my Sister's wedding in 1980, at the time because of being busy with the wedding the song didn't sink in, but,, I remembered it and I haven't heard it in some time now. For some reason I thought of it, driving my fiance to work. What we have here is the most beautiful song around.
Brian Arbenz from Louisville, Ky. UsaI don't know that songs can come from a god, but if any song could, it is this one. The music and lyrics grace and caress my heart.
Djc from Minneapolis, Mn Arthur from New Jersey: I listened to Denver's "Rymes & Reasons" and I disagree that is "very similar" - maybe a hint of the tune but the entire song is uniquely NPS. Plagiarized - not even close.
Arthur from New JerseyThis song is very similar to John Denver's "Rhymes and Reasons." No doubt that Stookey put the song in the public domain for admirable charitable purposes, but I wonder if he also did it because he realized he had unconsciously plagiarized Denver's song. Given that Denver was a friend and frequent collaborator with Peter, Paul, and Mary, certainly Stookey was familiar with Denver's music and might have heard Denver's song.
Melinda from AustraliaAgree with everyone here. This is one of the most beautiful songs i have ever heard. I grew up in the late 1960's and 1970's. I cannot understand how i never heard before this almost prayer like song. Cause my parents were crazy about music.
I only discovered this song recently when i had to get up for a shift at 4.30am. My dad bought me the most amazing powerful radio before he died.
So I was able to tune into to a community radio station on it. That always plays old tracks. I was lying in bed alone..listening...and the song just wafted over me. I literally sat up. And turned it up. Moved and Amazed by it.
It was the Petula Clark version. But agree, this song is definitely heaven sent guys. Its like a religious experience.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 1st 1972, "Wedding Song (There Is Love)" by Petula Clark entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #89; and on November 26th, 1972 it peaked at #61 {for 1 week} and spent 10 weeks on the Top 100 {the week after it peaked at #61 it was at #63 and that was its last week on the chart}...
In Australia it reached #10 on the RPM 100 Singles chart and on the Australian Adult Tracks chart it peaked at #9...
Mary MacGregor covered the song in 1978; her version reached #81 on the Top 100 {#23 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart}...
Ms. Clark will celebrate her 82nd birthday next month on November 15th {2014}.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 25th 1971, "Wedding Song (There Is Love)" by Paul Stookey entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #87; and on October 10th, 1971 it peaked at #24 {for 1 week} and spent 14 weeks on the Top 100...
It reached #3 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
The song was covered by Mary MacGregor in 1978, her version peaked at #81 on the Top 100 {#23 on the Adult Contemporary chart}.
Cindy from Evansville, InThis song was played at my sister's wedding back in 1988 and it made me cry then. I have a special place in my heart for this song. Truly an amazing song.
Rick from Belfast, MeWhen you listen to this song.....you come to realize the awesomeness of God thru marriage and love......doesnt get any better!!!!!!!
Heather from Los Angeles, CaKathy, nobody could say it better.
Kathy from New Orleans, Laone morning while driving my then teenage son to school, he surprised me by turning the radio up to listen to this song. At the time, he was all about Nirvana and the Dead Kennedys, so you can imagine my curiosity. When asked about it he said "it's beautiful". I now know why. Because it's a love song from God to every heart.
Heather from Los Angeles, CaI don't consider this just a wedding song. I heard it growing up in Portland Oregon and it reminds me strongly of my love for that city and my old neighborhood.
Guy from Woodinville, WaOne of the most beautiful songs ever recorded. We played it for our wedding. Who didn't? Interesting story about how it came to him and his reaction. Kind of like Paul McCartney and "Yesterday," but with prayer.

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