Away in a Manger is another one of our most popular and most sung Christmas Carols. Many have claimed, down through the years, that it was written by Martin Luther, the German religious reformer, but research may tell us differently and it may have originated in America.
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 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 take us to heaven to live with thee there.
James R. Murray titled the tune as Luther’s Cradle Hymn in 1887. Murray declared that Martin Luther had written the song AND he even sang it to his children every night before they went to sleep. Naturally, the story caught on and Luther’s popularity helped the song become even more beloved.
This all came as quite a surprise to German families of that time period who did not sing Away in a Manger to their children at bedtime. They had never even heard of the song until it arrived in Europe….from the United States.
In reality the song was most likely written in the mid 1800’s in america but we have no one to legally attribute it to. The tune was actually composed by J. E Clark and Charles Hutchinson Gabriel, the music director for Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, and he then presented a new version that added the third verse..
Who truly wrote the song may always remain a mystery but millions have been forever blessed by the words that take us back to the birth of the Savior. God became flesh and dwelt among us, a humble beginning for the King of Kings. He came and He gave that we might know Him and with that relationship, He will “take us to Heaven” to reign with Him throughout all eternity.
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