Away in a Manger
Away in a manger (English; roughly translated: 'far away in a manger ') is an English-language Christmas carol .
The text originally consisted only of the first two stanzas, the authorship of which is unknown, and was first published in a Lutheran Sunday School book in 1885 . The song is sung to two different melodies: The older one, from 1887, is called "Mueller" and comes from James Ramsey Murray (1841-1905). This version is better known in the United States - and there primarily among Lutherans and other evangelical denominations. An alternative melody called Cradle song was composed by William James Kirkpatrick in 1895. This is more common in England , but is also included in the hymn book of the Episcopal Church in the USA, which comes from England . This version is also performed in a Mr. Bean Christmas sketch by children ringing his doorbell in England.
song lyrics
- Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
- The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
- The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay,
- The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
- The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
- But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;
- I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
- And stay by my side until 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.
literature
- Hugh Keyte, Andrew Parrott (Eds.): The New Oxford Book of Carols . Oxford University Press , 1998.
- Scanned version of Luther's Cradle Hymn from Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses