Hymn History- Away in a Manger

  • Shelly Webb
  • December 8, 2010
  • 425
                        
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. Stanzas 1 and 2 unknown author Stanza 3 John Thomas McFarland (1851-1913) This song is definitely a favorite among children and adults alike. For a number of years people attributed this hymn to Martin Luther. The song first appeared in the Lutheran hymnal in the mid-1800s. After that it was published under the name “Luther’s Cradle Hymn”, because the publisher assumed since it was an anonymous song in the Lutheran Hymnal, it had to be Luther’s. Many churches use this hymn often around Christmas, however some take issue with the words, “no crying he makes”, saying the lyrics are misleading in Christ came to earth to enter our suffering. Whether or not the song is “theologically” correct, it is still a beautiful vision of the nativity and is ranked second among popular Christmas carols by a 1995 Gallop poll.


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