Muede bin ich geh zur ruh

'Muede bin ich geh zur ruh" is a children's song/prayer which Hannah Lieske's children sang while standing around her death bed. Hannah's daughter, Lyla Jaus, refers only to the first verse. Lyla thinks the English is "Now I lay me down to sleep, I ask the Lord my soul to keep, if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to keep."

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Memories

Lyla Jaus

I never got to know my mother and have a mental picture of only seeing her once in our home...I was at the bottom of the stairs doorway and she on the other side of the kitchen. Think I had the measles or something and was told not to get close to her.

Then remember being in the hosp. room in the Twin Cities when she was dying, us four kids knelt next to her bed and said the German evening prayer

"Muede bin ich geh zur ruh,
Schliese meine Augen zuh.
Vater lass die Engelein,
Ueber Meinen Bette sein.."

She died, everyone wept except me since I didn't really understand what had transpired. Next thing I remember is the funeral service and us four kids sitting in front of the open casket throughout the service and several times the Funeral Director Gedsted lifted me up to look into the casket. In years past the caskets were kept open for the entire service and of course were in the front of the church..

James Baur

This is a prayer which I grew up with as child (English version). I never realized this prayer was said and Great-grandma's death bed and it has taken on a whole new meaning. It is rather fitting. It makes me wish I had thought of saying it when Dad died.

Saying the prayer was another way of passing on the good news of Jesus to the younger generation. I give thanks for a Christian mother.

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Genealogy Translations

I asked the FB group Genealogy Translations" for help.

One member commented "Is this the same one, The Conrad Grebel College University

Another commented "Thank you so much for sharing this. I needed to read this tonight."

One member provided a litteral translation saying "I love the translation in the link above and think it probably most closely is the English version to the prayer. Just for your information, here is the translation of the words you indicate."

Tired/Weary am I, I am going to rest
Closing my eyes shut
Father Let the Angels
Over My Bed Be

One member commented "Reminds me of "when at night I go to sleep, fourteen angels watch do keep....etc.". Haven't heard that in forever but still remember the tune."

Full Translation

Müde bin ich, geh’ zur Ruh: Translation by Margaret Loewen Reimer

German

English

Müde bin ich, geh’ zur Ruh, Schliesse meine Augen zu. Vater, lass die Augen dein Über meinem Bette sein. Hab’ ich Unrecht heut’ getan, Sieh’ es, lieber Gott, nicht an. Deine Gnad’ und Christi Blut Macht ja allen Schaden gut. Alle die mir sind verwandt, Gott lass ruh’n in Deiner Hand. Alle Menschen, gross und klein, Sollen dir befohlen sein. Kranken Herzen sende Ruh, Müde Augen schließe zu. Gott im Himmel halte Wacht, Gib uns eine gute Nacht. Amen.

Weary now, I go to rest, Close my eyes in slumber blest. Father, may Thy watchful eye Guard the bed on which I lie. Wrong I may have done today, Heed it not, dear God, I pray. For Thy mercy and Christ slain Turns all wrong to right again. May my loved ones, safe from harm, Rest within Thy sheltering arm. All Thy children everywhere Shall find refuge in Thy care. Send Thy rest to hearts in pain, Close the weary eyes again. God in heav’n Thy vigil keep Grant us all a restful sleep. Amen.

I find it of interest the FB post received 4 hearts and a like.