Away in a Manger, from Family Christmas Online™


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Away in a Manger from Family Christmas Online™

This charming little Christmas lullaby is more complicated that it may seem on the surface - not only are there two very popular tunes for the same song, it is often credited to someone who couldn't possibly have written it.

If I have the choronology straight, the words first appeared in print in a children's book published by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America, in 1885. Two years later, James Murray published this song as "Luther's Cradle Hymn" with a melody that he provided. Perhaps he was meant to give the Lutherans credit for publishing the words, but his curious title has caused many editors to give Martin Luther credit for the song. The last verse was probably written by John Thomas McFarland.

Then to complicate matters just a little more, William J. Kirkpatrick published his tune for the verses in 1895. Several other tunes have been written as well, most of which sound somewhat like either Murray's or Kirkpatrick's.

When I was little, the third verse always made me a bit nervous; the version we sang ended with "And take us to Heaven to live with Thee there." I wondered if the song meant that I was asking to go tonight. I've printed an alternate version here that is a little less troubling: "And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there." So my prayer is that God fit us all for Heaven, but take us in His time, not necessarily tonight.

To hear an MP3 file of Murray's tune for this song click here.
To download the melody only sheet music for Murray's tune for this song in pdf format, click here
To download the SATB sheet music for Murray's tune for this song in pdf format, click here
To hear an MP3 file of Kirkpatrick's tune for this song click here.
To download the melody only sheet music for Kirkpatrick's tune for this song in pdf format, click here
To download the SATB sheet music for Kirkpatrick's tune for this song in pdf format, click here

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.

If you have any corrections or comments you would like to make about this page, please contact me and I will be glad to hear from you. God bless - Paul

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