AWAY IN A MANGER
Words: Unknown, 1885 (verses 1 & 2)
Verse 3: Attributed to John Thomas McFarland, 1887 (1851-1913)
Attribution by James R. Murray to Martin Luther is incorrect.
Music: "Mueller" by James Ramsey Murray
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Alternate Music: "The Cradle Song" by William J. Kirkpatrick
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...and at least 39 others
1. Away in a manger, no crib for His bed,01
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep in the hay.
2. The cattle are lowing, the poor Baby wakes.02
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky.
And stay by the cradle till morning is nigh.03
3. 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 take us to heaven, to Live with Thee there.04
Sheet music by J. E. Spilman from Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (Boston: Parish Choir, 1916), Carol #495
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Public Domain Recordings:
LibriVox Christmas Carol Collection 2006 (Recording by Karen Savage)
A Garritan Community Christmas for MP3s:
Away in a Manger ,Richard Nield
Away In the Manger, Jack Cannon
Away in a Manger, Kevin Selby
End Notes
1. Or: Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, Return2. Or: The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, Return3. Or: And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh. Return4. Or: And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there. Return
The version printed by James Ramsey Murray is said to have appeared in Dainty songs for little lads and lasses: for use in the kindergarten, school and home. (New York : J. Church Co., 1887).
Some sources state that verses 1 & 2, anonymous; appeared in Little Children's Book for Schools and Families, by J.C. File (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America, 1885). William Studwell, in American Christmas Classics, mentions that the third verse may also be anonymous as the reference was one by McFarland, not of McFarland. Studwell also briefly discusses a Moravian tradition of trombone choirs performing this carol.
This lullaby was the source of a fascinating article Not So Far Away In A Manger: Forty One Settings of an America Carol By Richard S. Hill, Music Library Association "Notes", December, 1945, Second Series, Vol. III, No. 1. "Notes" does not have a copy; if you would like to see the original, request it through an interlibrary loan (you may have to pay a photocopy fee, although I didn't). Return
Not mentioned in Mr. Hills' article is "Cradle Hymn" by Harold Darke (1888-1976, composed in 1914). Sheet music is available from Stainer & Bell, London ("Three Carols"). MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / XML
Earthly Delights: Xmas Carols
Although some believe this carol was penned by Martin Luther, German religious reformer and author of a number of beautiful hymns, it is almost certainly of late-19th century American origin. Verses 1 and 2 appeared anonymously in Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families, by J. C. File, Philadelphia, 1885, and verse 3 is by John Thomas McFarland (1851-1913). The tune given here is that most used in England, the 'Cradle song' by American Gospel song writer W. J. Kirkpatrick (1838-21). Another popular tune for it in the U.S.A. is 'Mueller', probably written by James R. Murray, 1887.
Editor's Note: See The Dear Old Christmas Story, words and music by J. R. Murray, 1884.
