Indian Wedding Blessing
A modern poem falsely attributed to Native American tradition.
The 'Indian Wedding Blessing' is a poem frequently recited at weddings in the United States, often misattributed to Apache, Cherokee, or other Native American traditions. It is a modern work of fakelore, created by a non-Native author and popularized through a Hollywood film adaptation.
Quick Facts
- Original author
- Elliott Arnold
- Year of composition
- 1947
- Film adaptation
- Broken Arrow (1950)
- Film screenwriter
- Albert Maltz
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The Economist characterized the poem as 'traditionalesque', commerce disguised as tradition.
- The poem has spread widely as Internet memes, often paired with stereotypical Noble savage imagery.
- Its persistent misattribution to Apache or Cherokee culture is cited as an example of cultural misappropriation and modern fakelore.
Poem
The poem first appeared in Elliott Arnold's 1947 novel Blood Brother, beginning with 'Now for you there is no rain / For one is shelter to the other' and ending 'Now there is no loneliness. / Now, forever, forever, there is no loneliness.' It contains no deity or petition, only a wish. The 1950 film adaptation altered the text to begin 'Now you will feel no rain' and end 'Go now. Ride the white horses to your secret place.' Numerous modern variations exist, mostly based on the film version; one common closing line is 'May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.'
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