Words by Rev. John Keble (1792 - 1866)
1869
Although he sometimes dreamed sentimentally of marriage in the abstract, of actual marriage, of marriage with a flesh-and-blood individual, of marriage that involved clergymen and 'Voices that Breathe o'er Eden', and giggling bridesmaids and cake, Dudley Pickering was afraid with a terror that woke him sweating in the night.
Uneasy Money. Chapter 10
The whole business was rather a disappointment to Mortimer, who had planned out a somewhat florid ceremony at St George's, Hanover Square, with the Vicar of Tooting (a scratch player excellent at short approach–shots) officiating, and 'The Voice That Breathed O'er St Andrews' booming from the organ.
The Clicking of Cuthbert. 4 Sundered Hearts
When I remembered that I had once yearned to walk up the aisle by her side, with the organ playing 'The Voice That Breathed O'er Eden', and the clergyman waiting to do his stuff, I marvelled at my fat–headedness.
Laughing Gas. Chapter 22
To Lady Constance's mind, impostors were not like that. Practical rather that romantic, as she saw it, they preferred jewellery to wedding bells. They might not actually disdain the 'Voice That Breathed O'er Eden', but in their scale of values it ran a very poor second to diamond necklaces.
Uncle Fred in the Springtime. Chapter 12
'I think you're wrong. One of these days, when we are walking down the aisle together, with the choir singing "The Voice That Breathed O'er Eden", I shall remind you of this. "Aha!" I shall say. "Who said she wouldn't marry me?" That'll make you look silly.'
Spring Fever. Chapter 12
'[...] Gussie will get the bum's rush, and the bowed figure you will see shambling down the aisle at her side, while the customers reach for their hats and the organ plays "The Voice That Breathed O'er Eden", will be that of Bertram Wilberforce Wooster.'
The Mating Season. Chapter 4
A few moments later, the organ was pealing forth 'The Voice that breathed o'er Eden'. The happy couple entered the vestry.
Nothing Serious. 7 Tangled Hearts
It might be that some day some girl, veiled in white, would stand at the altar rails beside this vast expanse of Baronet while the organ played 'The Voice That Breathed O'er Eden', but that girl would not be G. Salt.
Pigs have Wings. Chapter 5.3
'[...] The Bishop will be notified, the assistant clergy and bridesmaids rounded up, the organist will start practising The Voice That Breathed O'er Eden, and the limp figure you see drooping at the altar rails will be Bertram Wilberforce Wooster. [...]'
Much Obliged, Jeeves. Chapter 16
'Good for you, Jimmy', he said. 'If you are trying to find out if I approve, have no anxiety. When the wedding ceremony takes place, you can count on me to be in the ringside pew lending a fairly musical baritone to The Voice That Breathed o'er Eden or whatever hymn you may have selected. Now that Diana has been so satisfactorily de-Phippsed I could wish her no better husband.'
Sunset at Blandings. Chapter 6