Away in a Manger (19th century)

12/19/2023

Away in a Manger (19th century)

Although this carol is commonly credited to Martin Luther, there appears to be no basis in fact for this attribution. There is nothing like this song to be found in Luther’s works. The first known version in German was published in the US in 1934, and is obviously a translation from the English.

The carol appears to have been first published in America in 1885 in “Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families” as a “Nursery” song, with the tune St Kilda, attributed to one J.E. Clark. Just the first two stanzas are included there, with no author specified. In 1887 these two stanzas are found set to another tune, now commonly called “Mueller,” composed by James R. Murray (1841-1905).

The third stanza was probably written by Charles Gabriel (1856-1932); it first appeared in his collection “Gabriel’s Vineyard Songs” (1892). A self-taught musician, he was a very active composer and lyricist, writing more than 7000 pieces of music, including numerous choir cantatas, and the gospel songs “I Stand Amazed in the Presence,” “His Eye is On the Sparrow,” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

In a fascinating 1945 essay entitled “Not so Far Away in a Manger: forty-one settings of an American carol,” Richard Hill gives an extensive history of the many editions that came out, with seven different tunes and various large and small variations on them. Two of these settings have successfully stood the test of time; Murray’s tune “Mueller,” and “Cradle Song” by William Kirkpatrick, written in 1895. Kirkpatrick was a prolific composer of gospel songs, writing the music for such standards as “’Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” “Redeemed,” and “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place.”

Many people dislike this carol on the basis of one line: “no crying he makes” – this feels to them like an unrealistic assessment that while every other baby cries, this one does not. I would argue that one line of poetic license should not disqualify the carol; beyond that, I would propose that the song is actually quite interesting because of its turn in the middle of the second stanza: up to that point, it is description, but after that, it becomes prayer. Moreover, it is not a prayer to the baby Jesus, but to the reigning Lord.

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 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 until 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.