The New England Primer
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In early Colonial times and for years after, the New England Primer served as the elementary school textbook for the one-room school houses of early America. It was originally published possibly as early as 1688 by Benjamin Harris. It used Biblical stories as moral instruction for the children, and taught the basics of reading, writing and grammar. Many rhymes we know today originated in the New England Primer.
“Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep”
1748
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I shall die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
In early Colonial times and for years after, the New England Primer served as the elementary school textbook for the one-room school houses of early America. It was originally published possibly as early as 1688 by Benjamin Harris. It used Biblical stories as moral instruction for the children, and taught the basics of reading, writing and grammar. Many rhymes we know today originated in the New England Primer.
“Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep”
1748
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I shall die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
In Adam's fall
We sinned all. Thy life to mend This Book attend. The Cat doth play And after slay. A Dog will bite A thief at night. An Eagle's flight Is out of sight. The idle Fool Is whipt at school. As runs the Glass Man's life doth pass. My book and Heart Shall never part. Job feels the rod, Yet blesses God. |
Kings should be good;
Not men of blood. The Lion bold The Lamb doth hold. The Moon gives light In time of night. Nightingales sing In time of Spring. Young Obadias, David, Josias, All were pious. Peter denies His Lord, and cries. Queen Esther sues, And saves the Jews. Rachel doth mourn For her first-born. |
Samuel anoints
Whom God appoints. Time cuts down all Both great and small. Uriah's beauteous wife Made David seek his life. Whales in the sea God's voice obey. Xerxes the great did die And so must you and I. Youth forward slips; Death soonest nips. Zaccheus he Did climb the tree His Lord to see. |