John Scott Lyrics

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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 me I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

Overall Meaning

The song "Away in a manger" is a beautiful and gentle lullaby that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in a humble stable. The first verse describes the scene with little detail: there is no crib for the baby, just a bed of hay. The stars in the sky are the only witnesses to his arrival. The second verse describes how the cattle in the stable are making noise and might have woken up the baby, but, Jesus remains calm and peaceful, not crying or making a fuss. The third and final verse is a prayer directed at Jesus, where the singer asks him to stay near and love them forever. They also ask him to bless all the children and take care of them until they are fit for heaven.

Line by Line Meaning

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
In a manger without a crib to rest,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The infant Christ laid his head down to rest.

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
Bright stars gazed upon his whereabout

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
Sleeping on the hay, the baby Christ lay

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
The cows cry out as the baby awakes

But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
Though awakened, He does not cry

I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky
I love you, Jesus, please look down on me

And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Stay with me till morning arrives.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Dear Lord, be near to me always

Close by me forever, and love me I pray.
Stay beside me, love me forevermore

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care
Bless all the children in Your gentle care