1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
the stars in the heavens looked down where He lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
2 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.
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 fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.
Source: Psalms and Hymns to the Living God #230
First Line: | Away in a manger, no crib for a bed |
Title: | Away in a Manger |
Author (st. 1-2): | Anonymous (1885) |
Author (v. 3, attr.): | John T. McFarland (1892) |
Author (attributed to): | Martin Luther |
Meter: | 11.11.11.11 |
Source: | Traditional carol |
Language: | English |
Notes: | Spanish translations: See "Al pobre pesebre del Niño Jesús" by Effie Chastain de Naylor; "Allá en el pesebre, do nace Jesús by George Paul Simmonds; Swahili translation: See "Kawadia siku za kuzaliwa" by M. G. Mtusoli; Esperanto translation: See "En bova fojntrogo anstataŭ litet’" by Ellen Gregory. |
Copyright: | Public Domain |
Scripture References:
st. 1 = Luke 2:4-7
Stanzas 1 and 2 of this anonymous children's hymn were first published in the Lutheran compilation Little Children's Book for Schools and Families (Philadelphia, 1885). Charles H. Gabriel (PHH 24) published the text with an additional third stanza, also anonymously written in his Vineyard Songs (1892).
Though obviously a children's hymn, "Away in a Manger" is a charming favorite of many people, regardless of age. When people object to the "no crying" phrase in stanza 2, seeing it as a denial of Christ's humanity, they've really missed the childlike nature of this hymn. "Away in a Manger" has a lullaby character in stanzas 1 and 2; stanza 3 is an evening bedtime prayer.
Liturgical Use:
Christmas season, perhaps best on Christmas Eve or on a similar evening worship service.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook