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.
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 take us to heaven to live with thee there.
Credits
Unknown writer is the attributed author of this carol, as its true origins remain debated among historians. Long mistakenly credited to Martin Luther, modern scholars believe it was composed by an anonymous American author in the late nineteenth century. The first two verses appeared in print in 1885, with the third verse added separately a few years later by a different hand.
