San Francisco Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

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124 Away In A Manager

Away in a Manger was originally published in 1885 in Little Children's Book. The publication of Away in a Manger in a Lutheran Sunday school book created the misconception that the lyrics of Away in a Manger were actually written by Martin Luther himself. The author is unknown.

The CRADLE SONG tune was composed for this text by William J. Kirkpatrick, and printed in 1895 while he was director of music at Grace Methodist Epiocopal Church in Philadelphia.

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 in 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 til 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.