Just like American children know “Now I lay me down to sleep” by heart, my Mexican students all know this child’s prayer for protection. It is said on waking up or for sleep. My translation is after the poem.
Angel de mi guarda
Mi dulce compañía
No me desampares
Ni de noche ni de día
No me dejes sólo
Que me perdería.
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My guardian angel
My sweet companion
Don’t abandon me
Not by night nor by day
Don’t leave me alone
That I would become lost.
This was dictated to me by my students.
Here is a bonus adult prayer from an amulet for sale by one of the students:
Pliss!
Cuidame aunque no vaya a misa.
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Translation:
Please! [this is the English “please” spelled phonically by Spanish pronunciation rules–“Spanglish”]
Watch over me even if I don’t go to mass.
