Away in a Manger

Away in a Manger, no crib for a bed

The little lord Jesus laid 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 Baby awakes,

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.

Along with “Jesus Loves Me,” one of the first songs Christians teach children is “Away in a Manger.” It’s short—only three verses—and has a simple tune easy for kids to learn. In 1887 American hymn writer James R. Murray wrote a songbook called Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses, in which he attributed the tune to Martin Luther. He wrote that Luther sang it to his own children each night before bed and called it “Luther’s Cradle Song.” The song gained popularity quickly in America, and Americans believed it’s origin to be German.

Ironically, Germans never heard the song until it arrived from America. Where Murray got his misinformation, no one knows. It is believed today that the first two verses were written by an anonymous American sometime in the mid-1800’s. The song was passed down orally for years. In 1892 another American musician discovered a previously unknown version that contained the third verse. He published the new edition in his book, Gabriel’s Vineyard Songs. But during World War I, while Germany and the United States battled, the song became popular again, though this time sung to a Scottish tune.

The song’s author remains a mystery today. Whoever he or she was probably did not live to see the song reach children across the world with its beautiful message about the moment a Savior came to earth bringing peace, joy, and hope.