Away In A Manger

Year: 1885

Written By: Unknown

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This beloved Christmas carol has much mystery surrounding it. However, it still remains one of the most loved Christmas songs around the world. It is sung in churches, synagogues and on TV and radio during the holiday season. It has even been said the German mothers sing it as a lullaby to their little ones year round.

The mystery surrounding 'Away in the Manger' seems to be the fact that no one really knows who wrote it. In addition, it is unclear who the first person to sing it publicly was. We do know it was first published in 1885, with the first two verses of the soon to become popular carol. It was first seen in Martin Luther's Evangelical Lutheran Sunday School Collection, Little Children's book for Schools and families. Many have said that Martin Luther wrote the song but this has been proven untrue. The third stanza of the song "be near me Lord Jesus" was said to be written by Charles H. Gabriel in his book Gabriel's Vineyard songs. William J. Kirkpatrick composed the music to Away in a Manger in 1895.

While the song was originally published in Philadelphia, it is a great favorite across the world even topping the charts in Britain. The song is mostly sung in two different melodies. One is Mueller and mostly in the US. However, in the United Kingdom it is sung to the melody Cradle Song.

'Away In A Manger' is the story of the birth of the baby Jesus, while some have a problem with the odd, and sometimes thought misleading lyrics it has still made its way into the hearts of children and adults all around the world.

Even though we are not positive who wrote or even who first sung 'Away in a Manger' it has been recorded by many notable artists. Mahalia Jackson and the Annie Moses band have recorded popular religious versions of the song. Many popular country superstars including Martina McBride, Emmy Lou Harris, Reba McIntyre, and Dolly Parton also have their own renditions. The song was also recorded by country and gospel star Randy Travis.

As well as the countless choral version versions this famous carol has also seen many versions recorded in the pop sphere by the likes of Andy Williams, John Denver, Nat King Cole, Johnny Cash, The Everly Brothers, The Very Most, Susan Boyle and Julie Andrews.

'Away in the Manger, may have humble and mysterious beginnings but that has not stopped it from being one of the favourite Christmas songs of all time.