10th December, 2022
Away in a manger
William J Kirkpatrick (1838 - 1921)
specially arranged for harp for this recording
In 1895 Kirkpatrick set these words which at the time were deemed to have been written by Martin Luther (1483 – 1546). Much research has shown this attribution to be incorrect and the words to have been written in the 19th century.
The first appearance of the words in print was in 1882. Although the melody of the arrangement is the most widely known version here in the UK, there is another equally famous melody in use in the USA by James Ramsey Murray and another couple of hundred different musical settings as well, one of which was the melody to Home, Sweet, Home and another to the melody of Flow Gently Sweet Afton (words by Robert Burns.)
Loosely, the words evoke the scene in Luke 2: 4-16 telling the nativity. In 1996, in a UK Gallup poll, this carol was ranked joint second in popularity. For my arrangement I could not resist including ubiquitous suggestion of bells tolling and pealing.
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 fit us for heaven to live with thee there.