Away In A Manger
Chet Atkins Lyrics


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Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay




Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chet Atkins's version of the traditional Christmas carol "Away In A Manger" tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in a humble manger. The first line, "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed," presents the idea that Jesus was born in a simple setting, without the luxuries that one might expect for a king. However, this does not diminish the significance of His birth. The second line, "The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head," emphasizes the idea that Jesus, despite His divine nature, was also just a small baby.


The stars in the sky are used metaphorically, as they symbolize the heavenly beings that recognized and celebrated Jesus's birth. The chorus repeats the idea that Jesus was peacefully asleep on the hay in the manger. This simple scene is juxtaposed with the knowledge that Jesus's birth would eventually lead to His sacrifice for the salvation of mankind. The message of this song is that despite the humble beginnings of Jesus's life, His mission was one of great importance and significance.


Line by Line Meaning

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
The baby Jesus is sleeping in a manger, because there is no crib available for him to use.


The little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head
Baby Jesus is sound asleep, laying his head down on soft hay by his mother.


The stars in the sky looked down where He lay
The shining stars in the night sky are casting their light upon baby Jesus, as he lay sleeping in the manger.


The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
Baby Jesus is sleeping soundly on the soft bed of hay, nestled safely in the manger with his mother and father watching over him.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEROY ANDERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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