Away in a Manger
[Disney] feat. the Disney Dickens Christmas Carolers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Away in a Manger
Away in a Manger,
No crib for His 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 poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til 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

Overall Meaning

The song "Away in a Manger" is a beloved Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus. The first stanza paints a picture of the humble circumstances that surrounded the birth of Jesus, with no crib for his bed and the little Lord Jesus laid down on sweet hay. The reference to the stars in the sky looking down on Jesus emphasizes the miraculous nature of his birth.

The second stanza speaks of the reaction of the animals to the birth of Jesus, with the cattle lowing and the poor baby waking. Despite this noise, the little Lord Jesus makes no crying sound. The third stanza is a personal message of devotion, with the singer proclaiming their love for Jesus and requesting that he stay by their side until morning is nigh. The final stanza shifts to a broader message of love and blessing for all of the dear children in his tender care.

The lyrics of "Away in a Manger" are touching and heartfelt, conveying a sense of wonder and awe at the miraculous events surrounding the birth of Jesus. The song has been sung by countless singers and choirs over the years, and has become a favorite Christmas carol for people all over the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Away in a Manger,
In a distant place with no fancy cradle,

No crib for His bed
No proper place for the baby Jesus to lay his head,

The little Lord Jesus
The baby Jesus, our Lord and savior,

Laid down His sweet head
Resting peacefully with his head on soft hay and swaddling clothes,

The stars in the bright sky
Shone down with their full light,

Looked down where He lay
Gave the little Lord Jesus their loving gaze,

The little Lord Jesus
Jesus as a little innocent baby,

Asleep on the hay
Sleeping soundly on the bed of straw,

The cattle are lowing
The oxen are softly mooing,

The poor Baby wakes
The baby wakes up from the noise of the cattle,

But little Lord Jesus
But the child Jesus is not crying,