Words: Verses 1 & 2, anon­y­mous, in Lit­tle Child­ren’s Book for Schools and Fam­i­lies, by J. C. File (Phil­a­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Evan­gel­ic­al Lu­ther­an Church in North Amer­i­ca, 1885). Some sourc­es show the au­thor as Mar­tin Lu­ther; this at­tri­bu­tion (prob­ab­ly in­cor­rect) is based on the ti­tle “Lu­ther’s Cra­dle Hymn,” giv­en to these words by the com­pos­er, James Mur­ray, in his Dainty Songs for Lit­tle Lads and Lass­es (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: The John Church Co., 1887). Verse 3 is by (1851-1913).

Music: Mueller, , 1887. Al­tern­ate tune:

  • Cradle Song, , 1895

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 on 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 till 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 fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.


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