On the 12th Day of Christmas
Well we've finally reached it. Christmas Eve for another year. And on this day, it's also my Birthday. So Merry Christmas to all and Happy Birthday to me. For those living in Australia, this also means Christmas Specials. SBS is celebrating with Christmas Specials of South Park and Mythbusters and Channel Ten is airing a Jamie At Home: Christmas Special. And now for the final post of my 12 day countdown, this is Carol #12- Away in a Manger.
5 facts you probably didn't know about Away in a Manger
1. Away in a Manger was first published in an 1885 Lutheran Sunday School book
2. There are two major melodies for this song. The 'Cradle Song' commonly used in Britain and the 'Mueller' used in the USA
3. The writer of the first two stanzas of the Carol is unknown but it is known that the third stanza was added by Dr. John McFarland in 1904
4. The British version was written by William J. Fitzpatrick in 1895 and the US version was written by James R. Murray in 1887
5. Some have credited the song to Martin Luthor himself
Lyrics
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 side until morning is nigh.
Be near me Lord Jesus,
I ask thee to stay.
Close by me forever,
And love my I pray.
Bless all the dear children,
In thy tender care.
And take them to heaven,
To be with thee there.
5 facts you probably didn't know about Away in a Manger
1. Away in a Manger was first published in an 1885 Lutheran Sunday School book
2. There are two major melodies for this song. The 'Cradle Song' commonly used in Britain and the 'Mueller' used in the USA
3. The writer of the first two stanzas of the Carol is unknown but it is known that the third stanza was added by Dr. John McFarland in 1904
4. The British version was written by William J. Fitzpatrick in 1895 and the US version was written by James R. Murray in 1887
5. Some have credited the song to Martin Luthor himself
Lyrics
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 side until morning is nigh.
Be near me Lord Jesus,
I ask thee to stay.
Close by me forever,
And love my I pray.
Bless all the dear children,
In thy tender care.
And take them to heaven,
To be with thee there.
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