Lyrics
Verse 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.
Verse 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 cradle till morning is nigh.
Verse 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 take us to heaven to live with thee there.
Verse 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.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Away In A Manger is a beloved Christmas carol that pictures the infant Jesus in a manger and turns to a child's prayer. The first verse describes the little Lord Jesus laid in a manger with no crib, the stars looking down, and asleep on the hay. The second notes the lowing cattle and the baby who does not cry, and the singer says they love Him and ask Him to look down and stay near until morning.
The final verse asks Him to stay close forever, bless the children and take them to heaven. The scene draws on Luke 2:7, which says Jesus was laid in a manger, and Luke 2:12, the sign of a baby in a manger, while the prayer to stay near and bless the children echoes Mark 10:14-16 and Psalm 121:7-8. The gentle language and short verses are suited to children, and the repeated first verse gives the carol a calm, circular close.
Related Scripture
- Luke 2:7 Mary lays the newborn Jesus in a manger.
- Luke 2:12 The shepherds are told the sign is a baby lying in a manger.
- Mark 10:14-16 Jesus welcomes the children and blesses them.