A Classic Childs Prayer

I noticed that there are a few different versions of the Classic children's prayer "Now I lay me down to sleep" and I thought I would share a few with you as well as some history.

“Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John” was once the best known prayer in England, sometimes used more often than the Lord’s prayer. It was called the “White Paternoster” and considered a “night spell.” A distored version was called the “Black Paternoster” and was an enchanment used by witches. No one can say how old it is but it is said that it is half Celtic and half Christian.

“Now I lay me down to sleep” is first found in print in Thomas Fleet’s New England Primer, the first edition is from 1737.

As a nursery rhyme, it first appeared in 1840 in "London Jingles" by J. G. Rush. It was printed there as: I lay me down to rest me, I pray to God to bless me; If I should sleep and never wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

The real Mother Goose, Elizabeth VerGoose (nee Foster) who was born in Boston in 1665. Her daughter married Thomas Fleet. Thomas heard Elizabeth as she calmed her grandchildren with her stories. He published them in a book: Songs for the Nursery or Mother Goose’s Melodies in 1719.

Another piece of history for you: It is said that John Adams, the second president of the USA, said the "Now I lay me down to sleep" prayer every day of his life.

Here is the version I used as a child.

I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. But if I shall live for another day, I pray the Lord to guide my way.

Here are a few other versions that I know.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, Guard me Jesus through the night, And wake me with the morning light.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, may your angels watch me through the night, And keep me safe till morning's light.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, Guide me through the starry night, and wake me with the morning's light. I ask not for myself alone, but for thy children and everyone.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my Soul to take. Guard me while I sleep tonight, And wake me safe at dawn's first light. God bless Mommy and Daddy too, And help me always be true to you.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Bless the bed that I lie on. There are four corners to my bed, Four angels round my head, One to watch, and one to pray, And two to bear my soul away. Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, bless this bed that I lie on. Before I lay me down to sleep, I give my soul to Christ to keep. Four corners to my bed, four angels there aspread, two to foot, and two to head, and two to carry me when I’m dead. I go by sea, I go by land, the Lord made me by his right hand. If any danger comes to me, Sweet Jesus Christ, deliver me. He’s the branch, and I’m the flower, pray God send me a happy hour. And if I die before I wake, I pray that Christ my soul will take.

Four corners of my bed Four angels over head Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Bless this bed I lay upon Four corners to my bed, Four angels around my head, One to watch, one to pray, And two to bear my soul away. I go by sea, I go by land, The Lord made me with his right hand, If any danger come to me, Sweet Jesus Christ, deliver me. For he’s the branch and I’m the flower, Pray God send me a happy hour, And if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. I lay my head on our Lady’s knee Jesus come this night to me Heart of Joseph I adore thee Heart of Mary I implore thee Heart of Jesus pure and just In those three hearts I place my trust. Teach me to always to say what’s true. Be willing in each task I do. Help me to be good each day, and lead me in thy holy way. I pray whatever wrongs I’ve done, You will forgive me every one. Be near me when I wake again, and Bless all of those I love. Amen.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. When at dawn I greet the day, Teach me, Lord, to walk thy way. God bless Mommie, Daddy, too. Not just now, but all life through. God bless creatures big and small, Feed and shelter, one and all. God bless everyone we love, Here on earth and up above. Little children, where’er they be, God bless them, and God bless me. Help me to be kind and true. Gentle and loving, just like You. Let me always thankful be For all the blessings given me.

Please remember that these prayers were said in a time when death in children and adults was more common than today.

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Here are a few modified versions I found on Snopes.com

Now I sit me down in school, Where praying is against the rule. For this great nation under God, Finds mention of him very odd. If Scripture now the class recites, It violates the Bill of Rights. And anytime my head I bow, Becomes a federal matter now. Our hair can be purple, orange or green, That's no offense, it's a freedom scene. The law is specific, the law is precise. Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice. For praying in a public hall, Might offend someone with no faith at all. In silence alone we must meditate, God's name is prohibited by the state. We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, And the 'unwed daddy', our Senior King. It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong, We're taught that such "judgements" do not belong. We can get our condoms and birth contral, Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles. But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, No word of God must reach this crowd. It's scary here I must confess, When chaos reigns the school's a mess. So Lord, this silent plea I make: Should I be shot, My soul please take. Amen.

Now I sit me down in school, Where praying is against the rule. For this nation under God, Finds public mention of him odd. Any prayer a class recites, Now violates the Bill of Rights. Praying out loud in a public hall, Upsets believers in nothing-at-all. In silence alone we can meditate, And if God should be reached, well, that's great. This rule however, has one gimmick in it, You have to be finished in less than a minute. So all I ask is a minute of quiet, And if I feel like praying, then maybe I'll try it. If not O Lord, this one plea I make: Should I be knifed in school, my soul You'll take. Amen.

Now I sit me down in school, Where praying is against the rule. For this great nation under God, Finds public mention of his name very odd. Any prayer a class recites, Now violates the Bill of Rights. Anytime my head I bow, Becomes a federal matter now. Teach us of the stars, of the poles and the equater, But make no mention of the Creator. Tell us of exports in Denmark and Sweden, But not a word of what Eve did in Eden. The law is specific, the law is precise, Praying aloud is no longer nice. Praying out loud in a public hall, Upsets believers in nothing-at-all. In silence alone we can meditate, And if God gets credit... great! This rule however, has one gimmick in it, You have to be finished in less than a minute. So all I ask is a minute of quiet, And if I feel like praying, then maybe I'll try it. If not O Lord, this one plea I make: If I die in school, my soul You'll take. Amen.

Wasn't America founded on religion and to be free from English rule?

http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/newprayer.asp

Sorry for such a long post.

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