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Away in a manger, no crib for a bed

Both the text and the oldest of its tunes, MUELLER, have frequently been misattributed to Martin Luther, and the song has often been titled or subtitled "Luther's Cradle Hymn". The first two stanzas first appeared among American Lutherans in the mid-1880s. The third stanza and the MUELLER tune appeared about 1892.

Author unknown

Hymnary text authority (523 instances)
Cyber Hymnal™ page

 
1 Away in a manger, no crib for a 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.

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 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.
    

Tune:

MUELLER

CRADLE SONG

SPILMAN With this tune, variously called AFTON WATER or SWEET AFTON, the first stanza is usually reprised after the third stanza, since the tune is twice as long as the stanzas.

AWAY IN A MANGER (Gabriel)