The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PRAYER OF WEST GERMAN CHILDREN

DURING THE WAR I WAS WORKING FOR A CATHOLIC FAMILY
TAKING CARE OF THE CHILDREN WHILE THE MOTHER WORKED.
I HAD EVEN TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR PRAYERS. EVERY NIGHT
THEY WOULD SAY, "MARY, SPREAD YOUR COAT AND SHIELD
US UNTIL THE STORM WILL GO BY."

Submitter comment: I ASKED WHAT THIS MEANT AND LEARNED THAT WHEN NAPOLEAN
WAS IN WEST GERMANY, THE SOLDIERS WOULD GO ON THE HORSES
LIKE CRAZY MEN KILLING WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITH SWORDS. ONE DAY
A LADY WITH FOUR CHILDREN SAW THEM COMING. SHE RAN TO
THE BUSHES AND SPREAD HER COAT OVER ALL OF THEM. SHE TOLD THEM
TO PRAY TO THE VIRGIN MOTHER THIS PRAYER. SHE HIDE THEM SO
GOOD THAT THE SOLDIERS NOT SEE THEM . SO, ALL THE LITTLE
CHILDREN FROM THAT TIME ON ALWAYS SAY THIS PRAYER.
TOLD TO ME IN MY HOME BY MY NEIGHBOR
WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN
RURAL GERMANY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN