From the 1960s to the 1980s, Diamond was one of the more successful pop music performers, scoring a number of hits. As critic William Ruhlmann writes, "as of 2001, he claimed worldwide record sales of 115 million copies, and as of 2002 he was ranked third, behind only Elton John and Barbra Streisand, on the list of the most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart."[1] As of May 2005 he has sold 120 million records worldwide, including 48 million records in the U.S.[2]
Though his record sales declined somewhat after the 1980s, Diamond continues to tour successfully, and maintains a very loyal following. Diamond's songs have been recorded by a vast array of performers from many different musical genres.
Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, and then in 2000 was given its Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early part of 2011.
In 2008 Neil Diamond scored his first ever Billboard number one album with "Home Before Dark", the album also became his first studio album to get to number one in the UK.
Away in a Manger
Neil Diamond Lyrics
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No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down his sweet head
The stars in the sky
Looked down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay
The poor baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying he makes
I love you, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle
Until morning is nigh
Away in a manger
No crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down his sweet head
The stars in the sky
Looked down where he lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay
The lyrics of Neil Diamond's "Away in a Manger" are simple and sweet, capturing the essence of Christmas with poignancy and grace. The song depicts the birth of Jesus Christ, as he is laid down in a manger as a baby with no crib for a bed. The stars in the sky shine bright, looking down where he lays in a humble stable, surrounded by animals, and a few shepherds who have come to visit. We see the vulnerability of the baby Jesus, but also how peaceful he is, sleeping on a bed of hay, with no crying to be heard.
The lyrics then shift focus towards the singer who expresses love for Jesus, asking him to stay by his cradle until morning is nigh. As the song ends, we see the little Lord Jesus sleeping on the hay, surrounded by the soft glow of stars, in this quiet scene that is magical and uplifting.
Line by Line Meaning
Away in a manger
In a manger, far from people's sight
No crib for a bed
No proper place to sleep and rest
The little Lord Jesus
The son of God, who came to earth in human form
Laid down his sweet head
He slept peacefully with a calm face
The stars in the sky
The shining heavenly bodies up above
Looked down where he lay
Gazed at the place where he slept
The little Lord Jesus
The son of God, who came to earth in human form
Asleep on the hay
Slept peacefully on a pile of straw
The cattle are lowing
The cows are mooing
The poor baby wakes
The newborn child wakes up
But little Lord Jesus
But the son of God, in his human form
No crying he makes
Does not cry out loud
I love you, Lord Jesus
Expressing love towards the son of God
Look down from the sky
Gaze at the world from above
And stay by my cradle
Be near me, watch over me
Until morning is nigh
Until the new day begins
The little Lord Jesus
The son of God, who came to earth in human form
Asleep on the hay
Slept peacefully on a pile of straw
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: . TRADITIONAL, MICHAEL PHILIP MCGLYNN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind