Christmas

Away In A Manger

 First published in 1885, Away In A Manger was a Christmas carol which happened to be religious. When this song was first published it had only two versus and was called Luther’s Cradle Hymn and believed to be written by Martin Luthar for his children. In reality the original author of Away In a Manger is unknown and the music was made by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895. They believe that this Christmas song may originate from Germany somewhere.

Away in a manger words were found in a Sunday school book published on 1885 in Philadelphia so there was a bit of confusion. It is said that this song is the first one ever taught to children, German mothers often sang this piece to their children. In history this song was sang in the tune of an old Scottish song called “Flow Gently Sweet Afton.” The third verse to this song was made in New York City around 1904 by Dr. John McFarland. Away in a Manger has become one of the most beloved Christmas songs throughout the United States of America and around the world.

Some say that this song is based upon the baby Jesus when he was born, Mary and Joseph couldn’t find a place besides a barn to have the baby, so on their journey they had to find some sort of shelter, thus surrounded by animals and in a cradle of sorts the baby was put in so everyone could look down upon him, and Mary could rock him when he cried to help calm him. This song is magical because it’s old and no one knows who the author is, there are many different theories of who wrote it but no one knows for sure.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vftEpuxUo1E

Away In A Manger

Away in a manger,
No crib for His 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 poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
‘Til 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 take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

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