Christmas Carols

Away in a Manger - Chords, Lyrics and Origins

Origins

This setting of Away in Manger uses the tune by William James Kirkpatrick, which is itself based on an older tune by Jonathan Edwards Spilmanwhich. The Kirkpatrick melody is the most popular tune for the carol in the United Kingdom (in the U.S. I believe the 'Mueller' tune is more commonly used). The words, which are sometimes falsely attributed to star of the German reformation, Martin Luther, are actually just a tiny bit controversial, at least in some people's eyes. It's possible to read the line 'No crying he makes' as a denial of Christ's humanity, which would, of course, be heretical. Personally, I'd just prefer to believe he was a good baby...

acousticmusicarchive · Away in a Manger

Chords

Capo at 4th Fret

C
Away in a manger,

              F
No crib for His bed,

                          C
The little Lord Jesus

         Dm7                    G7
Laid down His sweet head.

       C
The stars in the bright sky

                                          F
Looked down where He lay -

                         C
The little Lord Jesus

   G7                 C
Asleep on the hay.

Lyrics

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 the 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 take us to heaven
To live with Thee there.