Away In A Manger

When I found out that the Wordful Wednesday would be about our favorite Christmas music I knew what hymn I would write about. When I turned about seven I was asked in Primary to choose my favorite song and we would sing it. I picked Away in a Manger and good old Sister Jenkins had us sing it. My birthday is in July! I think I can trace my love of this song back to a time when I had stayed home sick from school. I remember laying in the old brass bed in my bedroom, staring at the walls, listening to the ladies sing. The ladies were a singing group that my mom accompanied on the piano. As their voices drifted up the stairway, I felt like angels were singing to me! I have loved it ever since.

A little history of the hymn: The first two verses of "Away in a Manger" were originally published in a Lutheran Sunday school book in 1885. Two years later, James R. Murray published it as "Luther's Cradle Hymn," thus creating the misconception that Luther had written it. Although some attribute the words to Luther, they are usually considered American anonymous. Some credit the music to Murray; others think he merely harmonized an old German folk song. the words are frequently sung to the tune of the Scottish song "Flow Gently Sweet Afton." I found this on this site. And most of the sites said the same thing.

Also see Annie's Manger Page for some other fun details about the lyrics of the song.

I love so many other songs and I wish I could include them here. But, you can get them for free for yourself on Amazon.com downloads until December 31. (Thanks, Loulie). Merry Christmas!