Away in a Manger — Lyrics, History & Fun Facts

Away in a Manger is a gentle and tender Christmas hymn that depicts the infant Jesus sleeping in a manger, offering a child-friendly retelling of the Nativity story. Its soothing melody and simple, heartfelt lyrics have made it one of the most popular lullaby-style carols, particularly cherished for children's choirs and family services. The hymn captures the humble circumstances of Christ's birth with warmth and quiet reverence.

The History of "Away in a Manger"

Away in a Manger was first published anonymously in a Lutheran Sunday school book in Philadelphia in 1885. For many years it was falsely attributed to Martin Luther, likely as a marketing strategy to appeal to German-American Lutherans, but no evidence supports this claim. There are at least 41 different musical settings for the lyrics, with the two most popular melodies composed by William Kirkpatrick (1895) and James Murray (1887). The third verse, beginning 'Be near me, Lord Jesus,' was added by John Thomas McFarland around 1892 and is of separate authorship from the original two verses.

Fun Facts About "Away in a Manger"

• It was falsely attributed to Martin Luther for many decades
• There are at least 41 different melodies that have been composed for these lyrics
• The two most popular melodies were composed by William Kirkpatrick and James Murray
• The third verse was written by a different author, John Thomas McFarland, around 1892

Movies & TV Appearances

"Away in a Manger" has been featured in the following movies and television specials:

• The Nativity Story
• A Christmas Carol
• Elf

Listen to "Away in a Manger"

You can listen to "Away in a Manger" on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Search for the original version by Traditional or explore the many popular covers recorded over the years.