Away in a Manger

(The information is from Melissa Roberts on December 21, 2008)

"Away in a Manger" began in the American Lutheran tradition and offers a lullaby to baby Jesus and all who rest with him.  "Away in a Manger," like many tunes on the radio during the holiday season, has a colorful history and tradition rooted in Christian worship.  Long attributed to a lullaby Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, sang to his children, the truth about "Away in a Manger," honors Luther and his spirit of seeking comfort and rest in God. 

Nobody is certin who wrote the first two verses of "Away in a Manger" (the third verse was written by Charles Gabriel).  For many years, Martin Luther, the Catholic friar responsible for the rise of Protestantism in Europe and founder of today's Lutheran churches, received credit for the song.  In reality, the words are much younger, dating from the late 19th century and originating in America, not Germany.  Richard S. Hill, librarian at the Library of Congress, researched the origins of "Away in a Manger" and found that it originated from celebrations of Martin Luther's 400th birthday among Lutheran churches in the U.S. in 1883.  Hill concluded from his research that an unknown person or persons wrote the words of "Away in a Manger" as a poem for use in a children's play at one such Luther birthday party.

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 say
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