Away in a Manger
A beloved children's carol that portrays the nativity scene with tender simplicity and childlike faith.
With its gentle melody and simple, heartfelt lyrics, "Away in a Manger" has become one of the most cherished Christmas carols for children and families. The following table summarizes its key details.
| Song Title | Author (Lyricist) | Composer (Music) | Year | Common Attribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Away in a Manger | Anonymous American (possibly James R. Murray) |
Two melodies: 1. James R. Murray (1887) 2. William J. Kirkpatrick (1895) |
1885 (first publication) | Often incorrectly attributed to Martin Luther |
Historical Background
The origins of "Away in a Manger" are surrounded by mystery and myth. The carol first appeared in print in the United States in 1885 in the Lutheran publication Little Children's Book for Schools and Families, where it was published anonymously with the title "Luther's Cradle Hymn" and the note "Composed by Martin Luther for his children and still sung by German mothers to their little ones."
The most likely author is James Ramsey Murray (1841-1905), an American musician and composer who included the carol in his 1887 collection Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses. Murray claimed he received the lyrics from a friend in Philadelphia, but some scholars believe he may have written them himself. What is certain is that Murray composed the most famous musical setting of the carol, often called "Mueller" after the pseudonym he used (J.R. Murray).
A second, equally popular tune was composed by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895. This melody, often called "Kirkpatrick" or "Cradle Song," has a more gentle, rocking quality and is preferred by many for its lullaby-like character. Both tunes remain popular today, with Murray's being more common in the United States and Kirkpatrick's in the United Kingdom.
The third verse, beginning "Be near me, Lord Jesus," first appeared in 1892 in Gabriel's Vineyard Songs by Charles Gabriel, though Gabriel may have been publishing an existing verse rather than writing it himself.
Biblical Foundation
While the carol takes some poetic license, its core imagery comes directly from the Gospel accounts:
- Luke 2:7 – "She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." This is the direct source for "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head."
- Luke 2:12 – "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." The humble circumstances of Jesus' birth are central to the carol's imagery.
- Luke 2:16 – "So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger." The presence of Mary and Joseph watching over the baby is implied throughout the carol.
- Psalm 121:3-4 – "He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." This divine watchfulness is echoed in "I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh."
- Matthew 28:20 – "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Jesus' promise of constant presence is reflected in the child's prayer for Jesus to stay nearby.
- Revelation 5:11-13 – The heavenly worship of Jesus: "Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne... saying: 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!'" This is the theological background for asking Jesus to "fit us for heaven to live with Thee there."
While not strictly literal (the Bible doesn't mention cattle lowing or Jesus not crying), the carol captures the emotional and spiritual truth of the Incarnation—God becoming a vulnerable child who identifies with human weakness.
Full Lyrics (Three-Verse Version)
The complete carol with all three verses as commonly sung today:
Note: Some versions use "The stars in the sky" instead of "The stars in the bright sky," and some change "look down from the sky" to "look down from above." The line "no crying He makes" has been occasionally criticized as unrealistic for a human baby, but is generally accepted as poetic expression of Jesus' divine nature.
Authors & Composers
James Ramsey Murray (1841-1905): Born in Andover, Massachusetts, Murray was a composer, music editor, and publisher. He served as a music editor for the John Church Company and later for the Biglow Publishing Company. Though he composed many Sunday school songs and hymns, "Away in a Manger" is by far his most enduring work. His melody, first published in 1887, is in 3/4 time with a simple, memorable melody that rises and falls gently like a lullaby.
William J. Kirkpatrick (1838-1921): Born in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, Kirkpatrick was a prolific gospel song composer who wrote over 1,000 hymns including "He Hideth My Soul" and "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus." His 1895 setting of "Away in a Manger" has a more flowing, lyrical quality than Murray's. Kirkpatrick's version is sometimes called "Cradle Song" and is particularly popular in the United Kingdom.
Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932): Though not definitively the author, Gabriel played a key role in the carol's dissemination. A prolific gospel composer (he wrote over 7,000 songs), Gabriel included the carol in several publications and may have written the third verse. His advocacy helped establish the carol as a Christmas standard.
The American Sunday School Movement: More than any individual, the carol represents the work of the 19th-century American Sunday school movement, which created simple, memorable songs to teach children biblical truths. "Away in a Manger" exemplifies the movement's success—it presents profound theology in language a child can understand and remember.
- It appeared in numerous publications as "Luther's Cradle Hymn"
- It fit romantic 19th-century notions of Luther as a tender family man
- Luther did write hymns and valued family worship
- The story was appealing and easy to remember
Background Music & Melody
Two Main Melodies:
- Murray's Melody (1887): Also known as "Mueller," this is the most common setting in the United States. It's in 3/4 time (waltz time) with a simple AABA structure. The melody has a gentle, rocking quality with a range of only a sixth, making it easy for children to sing.
- Kirkpatrick's Melody (1895): Often called "Cradle Song," this version has a more flowing, lyrical character. It's also in 3/4 time but with a more developed melodic line that rises to a climax on "I love Thee, Lord Jesus" before gently descending.
Musical Structure: Both versions share common features:
- Simple Harmony: Primarily I, IV, and V chords with occasional passing chords
- Narrow Vocal Range: Easy for children's voices (usually C4 to A4)
- Lullaby Rhythm: Gentle 3/4 meter that mimics rocking
- Repetitive Structure: Easy to learn and remember
Why It Works as a Children's Carol:
- Simple Language: Short sentences, concrete images, familiar words
- Personal Connection: Shifts from describing Jesus to talking to Jesus
- Memorable Tune: Easy to hum or sing without music
- Appropriate Length: Three short verses—enough to tell a story but not too long for young attention spans
- Interactive Potential: Often used with hand motions or nativity props
Performance Traditions: The carol is almost always sung at a slow, gentle tempo (around 60-80 beats per minute). It's frequently performed by children's choirs, in family Christmas gatherings, and as a solo during candlelight services. The simplicity of the melody invites creative arrangements—from solo voice with guitar to full choir with orchestra.
Notable recordings include the tender version by Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the intimate recording by Julie Andrews, the folk rendition by Emmylou Harris, and the contemporary Christian interpretation by Michael W. Smith. The carol has been translated into numerous languages and appears in almost every English-language Christmas hymnal and carol collection.
Educational and Devotional Use: "Away in a Manger" serves multiple purposes:
- Teaching Tool: Introduces children to the nativity story
- Prayer in Song: The third verse functions as a child's bedtime prayer
- Intergenerational Bridge: Simple enough for children, meaningful enough for adults
- Memory Maker: Often a child's first memorized Christmas carol
Despite its mysterious origins and disputed authorship, "Away in a Manger" has earned its place as a Christmas classic through its perfect embodiment of childlike faith and its tender portrayal of the Christmas story's central miracle—the Word made flesh, lying helpless in a manger.
