Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur
Language: German
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Haus=Segen.
IN GOTTES Namen geh ich aus, Ach HERR! regier du heut das Haus: \ Die Hausfrau und die Kinder mein, Laß dir O GOTT! befohlen seyn. Bewahr mein \ Herze, Mund und Hand, Vor grossen Lastern und vor Schand: Gib daßich mein sach \ wohl richt aus, Und wieder frölich komm nach Haus, Daß solches, O getreuer HERR! \ Gereichen möcht zu deiner Ehr.---Hüt dich, fluch nicht in meinem Haus, oder geh \ bald zur Thür hinaus: Es möcht sonst GOTT vom Himmelreich, \ Auch Strafeb mich und dich zugleich.
Ephrata: \ gedruckt bey Johann Baumann, \ Im Jahr 1803.

[in heart on left]
O! leite mich in Segen, \ dem großen ziel ent= \ gegen, dahin dein \ Wort mich \ weißt.

[in heart on right]
Mein Leben und mein \ ende ist dein, in dei= \ ne Hände, befehl \ ich meinen \ Geist.
 

Translation:

House Blessing
In God’s name I go out; O Lord, rule over my house today. Let the wife and my children be commended to you, o God. Preserve my heart, mouth and hand from great sin and shame; take care that I do my work well, and return home cheerfully, that such, o faithful Lord, will suffice for your honor. ---Restrain yourself, don’t curse in my house, or go soon out the door. Or else God from heaven will punish me and you at the same time.

Ephrata: printed by Johann Baumann, in the year 1803.

[in heart on left]
O, lead me in blessings toward the great goal; toward it your word is directing me.

[in heart on right]
My life and my end are yours, in your hands I order my spirit.

Category: House Blessing (Haussegen)
Media Type: Letterpress Prints
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-colored; printed form. The main text and imprint in fraktur are within a large heart in the center of the document. The two verses are within smaller hearts in the lower corners. They are flanked by two inward-facing birds. Leafy flowers protrude from their tops. In the upper corners are two parrots perched on leafy stems of flowers. In the upper center are three stems of flowers, including a tulip.

Associated Names: Baumann, John
Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa., 1997), vol. 2, pp. 190-207.

Russell D. Earnest, Corinne P. Earnest, and Patricia Earnest Suter, God Bless This House: The Printed House Blessings (Haus-Segen) of the Pennsylvania Germans 1780-1921 (Clayton, Del.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 2015), p. 33. 

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of printshop.
Region/County:Lancaster
City/Town/Township:Ephrata
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1803
Image Dimensions Width: 34 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 258
Creator Name: Anonymous - Scrivener
John Baumann (1765-1809) - Printer/Publisher