And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. — Luke 2:16–17
Away in a Manger
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.
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 fit us for Heaven, to live with Thee there.
In 1887, American hymn writer James R. Murray published his popular songbook for children that included the original two verses of “Away in a Manger,” which he called “Luther’s Cradle Hymn.” The book claimed that Martin Luther had written the song and sung it to his children each night. Soon it spread across America, and people imagined German mothers rocking their babies to sleep to the lullaby. But German mothers of this era had never heard “Away in a Manger” until the song arrived in Europe from the United States. Where Murray got his misinformation remains a mystery, yet because of his outstanding reputation as a writer and publisher, the story stuck.
After Murray’s publication of the song, it was published several more times over the years, and the myth surrounding Luther’s authorship grew. Illustrations and stories were created of Luther singing the song to German children. A third verse was added by composer Charles Hutchinson Gabriel in the late 1800s, and facts of the carol’s creation became more diluted over time.
In 1945, American writer Richard S. Hill researched the seventy-year-old mystery of the carol’s origin. He concluded that Murray himself probably wrote the music for the song. Yet as Murray always took credit for his compositions, it’s more likely he was given the song and adapted the German-influenced melody for his book. It’s also likely that Murray heard the story of Martin Luther from whoever originally gave him the song.
In truth, the original two verses of “Away in a Manger” were no doubt written by an unknown American sometime in the mid-1800s. The song was probably passed down orally for years, and by the time it was published, no one knew the composer’s identity. Whoever he or she is, they probably didn’t live to see the song reach children worldwide with its poignant message, which still resounds today.
Excerpted with permission from O Holy Night by Ace Collins, copyright Andrew Collins.
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Your Turn
Away in a Manger is probably the most well-known Christmas carol around the world. It’s the one we likely teach our children first. Why? Because it’s the basic story of the birth of King Jesus and who He is, the Lord who if we believe in Him will take us to Heaven one day! So, sing along with us today! ~ Devotionals Daily