Away in a Manger

Collections
My Starred Hymns
Featured Hymns
My Hymnals
Log in to make the most of Hymnary.org collections.

Away in a Manger

Top
Full Text
Author (attributed to)
Author (st. 1-2)
Author (v. 3, attr.)
Text Info
Notes
Tune
Timeline
Arrangements
Media
Page Scans
Instances

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed

Author (attributed to): Martin Luther; Author (st. 1-2): Anonymous (1885); Author (v. 3, attr.): John T. McFarland (1892)
Published in 385 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Sibelius
Audio files: MIDI

Piano/Organ
	And Glory Shone Around (A Christmas Cant…

Instrumental
	Worship the King

Choral
	Where's the Newborn King? (A Hide-and-Se…

Full Text

1 Away in a manger,no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the sky 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 cradle till 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: Baptist Hymnal 2008 #205

All full texts • Compare texts ^ top

Author (attributed to): Martin Luther

Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody. i. Hymn Books. 1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >

Author (st. 1-2): Anonymous

In some hymnals, the editors noted that a hymn's author is unknown to them, and so this artificial "person" entry is used to reflect that fact. Obviously, the hymns attributed to "Author Unknown" "Unknown" or "Anonymous" could have been written by many people over a span of many centuries. Go to person page >

Author (v. 3, attr.): John T. McFarland

(no biographical information available about John T. McFarland.) Go to person page >

^ top

Related Texts

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
Refrain First Line:	Bye-low-bye, baby bye
Copyright:	Public Domain

^ top

Notes

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

^ top

Tune

MUELLER

With the original two-stanza text, AWAY IN A MANGER was first published in James R. Murray's Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses (1887) and initialed “J. R. M.” Murray (b. Andover, MA, 1841; d. Cincinnati, OH, 1905) compiled the songbook and is now thought to be the tune's composer. However,…

Go to tune page >

CRADLE SONG

All tunes published with 'Away in a Manger'^ top

Timeline

^ top

Arrangements

PowerPoint Away in a Manger (Hymns for the Family of God 187) Away in a Manger (Worshiping Church 147) AWAY IN A MANGER (Baptist 1991 - 103) AWAY IN A MANGER (Gray Psalter 349) AWAY IN A MANGER (Gray Psalter 348) AWAY IN A MANGER - Lead Line (Prebyterian Hymnal 24) AWAY IN A MANGER (Celebration 262) AWAY IN A MANGER (United Methodist Hymnal 217) AWAY IN A MANGER (Presbyterian Hymnal 25) AWAY IN A MANGER (Hymnal for Worship & Celebration 157) AWAY IN A MANGER (Evangelical Lutheran 2006 - 277)
Piano/Organ And Glory Shone Around (A Christmas Cantata Celebrating Love’s Perfect Light) Where's the Newborn King? (A Hide-and-Seek Christmas Musical) Rise Up! A New Light A-Comin’ (Sending the Light of Christmas into the World) More Piano/Organ >
Choral The Perfect Christmas AWAY IN A MANGER Away in a Manger More Choral >
Instrumental Worship the King AWAY IN A MANGER A Carol Suite for Flute, Clarinet or Oboe, Organ or Piano, with opt. Percussion More Instrumental >
Handbells AWAY IN A MANGER Away In A Manger Come Ringing Noel (Classic Christmas Carol Settings for 3, 4 or 5 octaves Handbells) More Handbells >

More arrangements ^ top

Media

Scores
Audio

Baptist Hymnal 1991 #103

Full Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch)
Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF, SIB, Scorch)
Bulletin Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch)

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #348

Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF, SIB, Scorch)
Bulletin Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch)
Full Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch, XML)

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #349

Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF, SIB, Scorch)
Bulletin Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch)
Full Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch, XML)

Timeless Truths #374

Away_in_a_Manger.sib (SIB, Scorch)

The United Methodist Hymnal #217

Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF, SIB, Scorch)
Bulletin Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch)
Full Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch)

Worship and Rejoice #203

Bulletin Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch, XML)
Full Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch, XML)
Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF, SIB, Scorch, XML)

Worship and Rejoice #205

Full Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch, XML)
Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF, SIB, Scorch, XML)
Bulletin Score (PDF, SIB, Scorch, XML)

^ top

Page Scans

Celebrating Grace Hymnal (2010), p.108

^ top

Instances

Instances (64)	First Line	Text Title	Authors	Composers	Meter	Scripture	Tune Title	Tune Key	Languages	Publication Date
African American Heritage Hymnal #208	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	John T. McFarland, 1851-1912; Anonymous	William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:6	CRADLE SONG	F Major or Modal		2001
African American Heritage Hymnal #209	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	John T. McFarland, 1851-1912; Anonymous	Nolan Williams, Jr. b. 1969; James R. Murray, 1841-1905	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:6	MUELLER	F Major or Modal		2001
AGO Founders Hymnal #18	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger					A SONG OF CHRISTMAS			2009
Baptist Hymnal 1991 #103	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	John Thomas McFarland	James R. Murray	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	MUELLER	F Major		1991
Baptist Hymnal 2008 #205	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous; John Thomas McFarland	James R. Murray	11.11.11.11		MUELLER	F Major or modal	English	2008
Baptist Hymnal 2008 #208	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous; John Thomas McFarland	William J. Kirkpatrick	11.11.11.11		CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal	English	2008
Celebrating Grace Hymnal #110	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous; John Thomas McFarland	James R. Murray	Irregular	Luke 2:7	MUELLER	F Major or modal	English	2010
Celebrating Grace Hymnal #111	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous; John Thomas McFarland	William J. Kirkpatrick	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal	English	2010
Celebration Hymnal #261	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,	Away in a Manger		William J. Kirkpatrick	11.11.11.11		CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal		1997
Celebration Hymnal #262	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,	Away in a Manger		James R. Murray	11.11.11.11		AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major or modal		1997
Chalice Hymnal #147	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous	James R. Murray	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major or modal		1995
Christian Worship: a Lutheran hymnal #68	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		William J. Kirkpatrick	11.11.11.11		CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal		1993
Christmas Favorites #10	Away in a manger, No crib for His bed			J. E. Spilman			[Away in a manger, no crib for His bed]			2000
Christmas Favorites #11	Away in a manger, No crib for a bed						[Away in a manger, No crib for a bed]			2000
Church Family Worship #651	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed				11.11.11.11					1988
Church Hymnal, Fifth Edition #149	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed									2000
Church Hymnary, Fourth Edition #312	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed		Author unknown	William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)	11.11.11.11		CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal	English	2005
Common Praise #126	Away in a manger, no crib for his bed	Away in a Manger		William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921)	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:1-20; Luke 2:1-20	CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal		1998
Complete Anglican Hymns Old & New #794	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed								2000
Complete Mission Praise #47	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed				11.11.11.11					2000
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #119	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921; R. Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958	11.11.11.11		CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal	English	1996
Evangelical Lutheran Worship #277	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed			James R. Murray, 1841-1905	11.11.11.11		AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major or Modal		2006
Evangelical Lutheran Worship #278	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed			William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921; David Willcocks, b. 1919	11.11.11.11		CRADLE SONG	F Major or Modal		2006
Gather Comprehensive #353	Away in a manger	Away in a Manger	Anonymous; John T. McFarland, 1851-1913	James R. Murray, 1841-1905; Robert J. Batastini, b. 1942	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	MUELLER	F Major or modal	English	1994
Gather Comprehensive, Second Edition #365	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous; John T. McFarland, 1851-1913	James R. Murray, 1841-1905; Robert J. Batastini, b. 1942	11.11.11.11		MUELLER		English	2004
Hymnal 1982: according to the use of the Episcopal Church #101	Away in a manger, no crib for his bed			William James Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921; Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958	11.11.11.11		CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal	English	1985
Hymns of Faith #131	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		James R. Murray		Luke 2:7	[Away in a manger, no crib for a bed]	F Major or modal		1980
Hymns Old and New: New Anglican #51	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed				11.11.11.11					1996
Lift Every Voice and Sing II: an African American hymnal #27	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous	James R. Murray (1841-1905); Edythe Ethelynn Woodruff (b. 1970)			[Away in a manger, no crib for a bed]	F Major or modal	English	1993
Lift Up Your Hearts: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs #86b	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921	11.11.11.11		CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal		2013
Lift Up Your Hearts: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs #86a	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		James R. Murray, 1841-1905	11.11.11.11		AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major or modal		2013
Lutheran Service Book #364	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		James R. Murray, 1841-1905; Joseph Herl, b. 1959	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7; Mark 10:14-16; Matthew 1:23; Matthew 28:20	AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major or modal	English	2006
Lutheran Service Book #365	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921; James E. Engel, 1925-89	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7; Mark 10:14-16; Matthew 1:23; Matthew 28:20	CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal	English	2006
Presbyterian Hymnal #24	Away in a manger, no crib for His bed	Away in a Manger		William James Kirkpatrick	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	CRADLE SONG	F Major	English	1990
Presbyterian Hymnal #25	Away in a manger	Away in a Manger		James R. Murray; John Weaver	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	MUELLER	F Major	English	1990
Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #348	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		James R. Murray	11.11.11.11		AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major	English	1987
Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #349	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		William James Kirkpatrick	11.11.11.11		CRADLE SONG	F Major	English	1987
Rejoice in the Lord #213	Away in a manger, no crib for his bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous	Anonymous	11.11.11.11		MUELLER	F Major	English	1985
Rejoice in the Lord #214	Away in a manger, no crib for his bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous	W. J. Kirkpatrick	11.11.11.11		AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major	English	1985
Revival Hymns and Choruses #147	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	John Thomas McFarland, 1851-1913	James R. Murray, 1841-1905; Norman Johnson, 1928-			[Away in a manger, no crib for a bed]	F Major	English	1982
Revival Hymns and Choruses #150	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	John Thomas McFarland, 1851-1913	William J. Kirkpatrick; Frank Anderson			CRADLE SONG	F Major	English	1982
Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal #124	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed						CRADLE SONG			1985
Sing Glory: Hymns, Psalms and Songs for a New Century #345	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed				11.11.11.11					1999
Sing Joyfully #209	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		William J. Kirkpatrick			[Away in a manger, no crib for a bed]	F Major	English	1989
Sing Joyfully #213	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		James R. Murray			[Away in a manger, no crib for a bed]	F Major	English	1989
Sing With Me #87	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		James R. Murray	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:4-7	AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major	English	2006
Songs for Life #129	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger		William J. Kirkpatrick	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:6-7	CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal	English	1995
The Christian Life Hymnal #104	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger					Cradle Song			2006
The Christian Life Hymnal #105	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger					Away in a Manger (Mueller)			2006
The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration #157	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	John Thomas McFarland; Unknown	James R. Murray	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major or modal		1986
The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration #158	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Unknown; John Thomas McFarland	William J. Kirkpatrick	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal		1986
The New Century Hymnal #124	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anon.	James R. Murray	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	AWAY IN A MANGER (MÜLLER)	F Major or modal		1995
The United Methodist Hymnal #217	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anon.	James R. Murray	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major	English	1989
The Worshiping Church #147	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous	James R. Murray	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7; Luke 2:16	AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major	English	1990
The Worshiping Church #149	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous	William J. Kirkpatrick	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7; Luke 2:16	CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal	English	1990
Together in Song: Australian Hymn Book II #318	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed				11.11.11.11					1999
Trinity Hymnal #204	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous	James R. Murray	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	MUELLER	F Major	English	1990
Trinity Hymnal #205	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Anonymous	William James Kirkpatrick	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:7	CRADLE SONG	F Major	English	1990
Voices United: The Hymn and Worship Book of The United Church of Canada #69	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	Unknown	William James Kirkpatrick; Desmond Hassell	11.11.11.11		CRADLE SONG	F Major	English	1996
With One Voice #644	Away in a manger, no crib for his bed	Away in a Manger		David Willcocks, b. 1919; William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921; Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958; Theodore Beck, b. 1929	11.11.11.11	Luke 2:1-20	CRADLE SONG	F Major	English	1995
Worship and Rejoice #203	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger	John Thomas McFarland, 1851-1913; Anonymous	James R. Murray, 1841-1905	11.11.11.11	Matthew 28:20; Luke 8:23; Matthew 19:14; Luke 2:16; Mark 10:16; Mark 10:14	AWAY IN A MANGER	F Major or modal		2001
Worship and Rejoice #205	Away in a manger, no crib for a bed	Away in a Manger (Kirkpatrick)	John Thomas McFarland, 1851-1913; Anonymous	William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921	11.11.11.11	Matthew 28:20; Luke 8:23; Matthew 19:14; Luke 2:16; Mark 10:16; Mark 10:14	CRADLE SONG	F Major or modal		2001
Worship in Song: A Friends Hymnal #65	Away in a manger, no crib for his bed						Mueller			1996
Worship in Song: A Friends Hymnal #66	Away in a manger, no crib for his bed						Cradle Song			1996