It was published as a hymn in 1885 with just verses 1 and 2, and the author given as anonymous. Some sources credit it to Martin Luther, as his "Cradle Song" but there is no evidence to support this: the first published German-language version was in 1934. Verse 3 by John T. McFarland (1851-1913) was added in 1892.
With meter 11.11.11.11, tunes it has been set to include:
- MUELLER by James R. Murray (1841-1905) in 1887 - used in many early publications, sometimes incorrectly attributed by Carl Müller, or referred to as a traditional French tune - and now best-known in the USA
- CRADLE SONG by William J Kirkpatrick (1895), most-common in the the UK
- ST. KILDA by J.E. Clark, - the original tune, no longer in use.
It has been translated to many languages, including:
- Spanish: Al pobre pesebre del Niño Jesús by Effie Chastain de Naylor and Allá en el pesebre, do nace Jesús by George Paul Simmonds
- Portugese: Jesus Num Presépio
- Swahili: Kawadia siku za kuzaliwa" by M. G. Mtusoli
- Esperanto: En bova fojntrogo anstataŭ litet’" by Ellen Gregory.
- Irish: Sa Stábla Sa Mhainséar
- Scots Gaelic: Fada Cian Ann an Stàball
- Polish: Daleko Gdzieś W Ż̇łobie
- Maori: I Te Whare Tarutaru
Downloads
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CRADLE SONG
MUELLER
Examples
Small group with electronic keyboard, words on-screen, professional recording, tune CRADLE SONG
Children's choir with electronic keyboard, professional recording, tune MUELLER
Duet with guitar and piano, words on-screen, professional recording, tune CRADLE SONG
Traditional choir, unaccompanied, TV performance, tune CRADLE SONG
Choir and congregation with piano, tune MUELLER
Massed choir with piano, tune CRADLE SONG
Instrumental - piano. Tune CRADLE SONG
Instrumental - classical guitar, tune MUELLER
Instrumental - organ, Tune CRADLE SONG
Lyrics
Traditional language
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 bedside till morning is nigh.
Be near me, lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me for ever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
Modern English
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 You, lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my bedside till morning is nigh.
Be near me, lord Jesus; I ask You to stay
Close by me for ever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Your tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with You there.
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