Album Notes

COUPLE HOPING SONG HITS THE RIGHT NOTE

BELMONT PAIR PUSH THEIR TUNE `I DO' AS ALTERNATIVE MUSIC TO PLAY AT SAME-SEX
WEDDINGS

By Sean Webby

Mercury News

``Here Comes the Bride'' doesn't quite sing for gay couples thinking
marriage, especially the guys in tuxes. And ``Chapel of Love'' may seem out
of kilter to some standing on the steps of a rebellious City Hall.

So a Peninsula couple has penned a song whose synthesized strings and
message of love's perseverance may soon echo from progressive places across
the country.

It's called ``I Do.''

And Maryann and Ron Sfarzo, the musical couple who wrote it, think it might
be the first wedding song penned for same-sex unions.

``The door has been closed so many times for them,'' Maryann Sfarzo said.
``So I go: `I should write a song!' '' She wrote the lyrics.

``They have the same feelings as we do,'' said Ron, a 56-year-old Menlo Park
patrol cop. ``People are people. If you don't have love, you have nothing.''
He composed the music.

``We are the perfect couple to write this song,'' continued Maryann, a
former insurance agent who declined to reveal her age. ``We understand the
feelings of people.''

``I Do'' is just the latest oeuvre of the two musicians, whose
collaborations have included a patriotic tribute to America after Sept. 11,
2001, called ``America, Our Country/America, Our Home''; an ode to Oahu,
``Oh, My Sweet Honolulu''; and an unused theme for the Jerry Lewis telethon.

The latest song flashed into Maryann Sfarzo's head as she watched the
morning news broadcasting San Francisco's historic rush of gay unions.

The line of couples outside City Hall to be married thrilled and inspired
the Sfarzos, who have been married 35 years. And over the subsequent week,
Maryann began filling up Post-Its with her lyrics.

``The road that led us to this moment was not an easy climb/

The world would not accept us as we lived our lives as one/

But we stood by each other and here is where we'll stay/

Our love is true and faithful as I say `I do' today.''

Maryann Sfarzo said she wrote her lyrics to be inspirational, focusing on
the romantic mood rather than the political edge of a controversial
movement.

``I don't write lyrics that will create a major issue,'' she said. ``I just
don't go there. I think about the world as a happier place.''

" I DO " The Wedding Song For Same Sex Couples.
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