Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1926, RAY BROWN’s formal musical train… Read Full Bio ↴Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1926, RAY BROWN’s formal musical training began at the age of eight with the study of piano. By the time Brown was in high school, he had already become an accomplished pianist. Thinking that the bass would be easier than the piano, Brown began playing it by ear and soon was playing professionally around town. After high school, Brown joined the Jimmy Hinsely Sextet and traveled with the group on the road for six months. The following year he joined the Snookum Russell band, playing larger clubs throughout the United States. He departed Russell's band at the age of 20 to make his way as a freelance musician in New York City. Ray Brown's reputation as an accomplished musician preceded him to New York, where he was hired immediately by Dizzy Gillespie. His experiences with Dizzy Gillespie led Ray around the world, playing, learning and composing his own music. In 1948, Brown left the band to form his own trio with Hank Jones and Charlie Smith.

Brown toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic for 18 years playing in Europe, the Far East and the US, appearing in nearly every major club and concert hall. In the late '60s, Brown composed "Gravy Waltz;" the tune became the Steve Allen Show's theme song and a best-selling record that won him a Grammy Award.

Ray Brown was the bassist for all of Frank Sinatra's specials, and has been a part of some of the most outstanding television musical events in the business. He guided the Hollywood Bowl Association in producing jazz concerts, was Director of the Monterey Jazz Festival for two years, and was Music Director for the Concord Summer Festival in 1976 and 1977. He has been honored with innumerable awards including the All-Star Poll Award in Playboy every year since its inception in 1958. The unparalleled bassist has received Grammy Awards, Downbeat Reader's Poll Awards, Jazz Critic's Poll Awards and many, many others.

Ray Brown first appeared on the Telarc label in 1989 with André Previn and Mundell Lowe on After Hours. In 1993, Ray Brown's own trio with Benny Green and Jeff Hamilton recorded their first album for Telarc called Bass Face. He also joined forces with Oscar Peterson and Milt Jackson for 1999's The Very Tall Band, a landmark collaboration recorded live at the Blue Note in November 1998. In February 2001, the Ray Brown Trio released the first ever Live at Starbucks album, recorded in Seattle.

Away in a Manger
The Ray Brown Trio Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the heavens
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 cradle
Till 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.

Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed,
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the heavens
Looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

Overall Meaning

The song "Away in a Manger" is a beautiful hymn that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The first stanza describes the scene of His birth, where He was laid down in a manger because there was no crib available. The stars above shone brilliantly, illuminating His peaceful sleeping form as He lay on the bed of hay. The second stanza paints an even more vivid picture, with the sound of cattle lowing and awakening the sleeping baby. Yet despite the commotion around Him, the little Lord Jesus remained calm and peaceful, without crying or fussing.

The third stanza is a plea to the Lord Jesus to stay close and protect the singer through the night. The singer professes their love for Jesus and asks Him to stay near until morning. The final stanza is a prayer of blessing for all children, asking that they be taken care of by Jesus, and ultimately, preparing them for Heaven.

The melody is simple and soothing, contributing to the peaceful and reverent mood of the song. It is often associated with Christmas celebrations and is a favorite of many who love the story of the Nativity.

Line by Line Meaning

Away in a manger,
In a stable far from home,

No crib for His bed,
He had no comfortable bed to rest in,

The little Lord Jesus
The young Son of God,

Laid down His sweet head;
He rested His head on hay,

The stars in the heavens
The stars in the sky,

Looked down where He lay,
Found Him lying in the stable,

The little Lord Jesus
The young Son of God,

Asleep on the hay.
Resting peacefully on the hay.

The cattle are lowing,
The cows are making noise,

The poor Baby wakes,
The baby wakes up,

But little Lord Jesus,
But the young Son of God,