Suranganaviyak Wage

Like a fairy flying across the vault of the sky,
O Lord who fits wings on the birds so they can fly,
to our beloved bride, adorned in pure white, stepping into new life,
give every blessing, give her all of your blessings

May white flowers always bloom on the road you walk,
may the poison-thorn flowers before you turn into blossoms,
bathe your home in the fragrance of a fresh flower,
and fill the Lord’s own heart with joy through you

Like a fairy flying across the vault of the sky,
O Lord who fits wings on the birds so they can fly,
to our brother the groom, adorned in pure white, stepping into new life,
give every blessing, give him all of your blessings

Wrapping you in the mighty hand of the Lord,
he will always keep you safe from every evil,
when tears glisten by day and pierce the heart,
the Lord will resolve them and soothe your tears

Like a fairy flying across the vault of the sky,
O Lord who fits wings on the birds so they can fly,
to our beloved new couple, adorned in pure white, stepping into new life,
give every blessing, give them all of your blessings

This is a wedding hymn, a blessing sung over a bride, a groom, and the new couple as they begin married life together. Its refrain is a lovely image of freedom and grace: “like a fairy flying across the vault of the sky, O Lord who fits wings on the birds so they can fly.” The God who gives birds their wings is asked to give the newlyweds everything they need to rise into their new life, “adorned in pure white, stepping into new life, give every blessing.”

The prayer is beautifully specific about the life it wishes for them. “May white flowers always bloom on the road you walk,” a path of purity and joy, and “may the poison-thorn flowers before you turn into blossoms,” so that whatever dangers or bitterness lie ahead are transformed into something good. It asks that their home be bathed “in the fragrance of a fresh flower” and that, through their love, the Lord’s own heart be filled with joy.

The hymn blesses each in turn, the bride, then “our brother the groom,” then “our beloved new couple,” widening the circle of grace. And it does not pretend married life will be without sorrow; it promises instead a God who holds them through it: “wrapping you in the mighty hand of the Lord, he will keep you safe from every evil,” and “when tears glisten by day and pierce the heart, the Lord will resolve them and soothe your tears.” What the listener is left with is a warm, hopeful benediction, the whole community asking God to give a new husband and wife wings for their journey, to turn their thorns to flowers, and to guard, comfort and bless them all the days of their shared life.”