"Away in a Manger" is one of the most beloved and widely sung Christmas carols, especially popular with children due to its gentle melody and simple, evocative lyrics about the Nativity. However, its history is a bit more complex and mysterious than many realize, often intertwined with a persistent myth. Here's a breakdown of its history: 1. **The Persistent Martin Luther Myth (and its Debunking):** * For many years, and still commonly believed by some, the hymn was attributed to **Martin Luther**, the 16th-century German Reformer. * The myth originated from the song's first known published appearance in America. It was often printed with the caption "Luther's Cradle Hymn (composed by Martin Luther for his children and still sung by German mothers to their little ones)." * **The Reality:** There is no evidence whatsoever that Martin Luther wrote "Away in a Manger." No German original has ever been found, and the style and language don't match Luther's known hymns. It appears to be an American composition that, for unknown reasons, was given a romanticized, but false, attribution to Luther to lend it historical weight or appeal, particularly in German-American communities. 2. **Origin of the Lyrics:** * The first two stanzas of "Away in a Manger" (the ones describing the manger and the baby Jesus) first appeared in print in **1885** in a Lutheran Sunday-school book titled "Little Children's Book for Schools and Families," published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was here that it was labeled "Luther's Cradle Hymn." * The third stanza ("Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay...") appeared later. It was first published in **1892** in "Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses" by James R. Murray, where it was set to one of the common melodies. The author of this third stanza is generally credited to **John Thomas McFarland**, who was likely the editor or arranger who added it. 3. **The Two Main Melodies:** "Away in a Manger" is unique in having two distinct melodies that are both widely popular and often considered "the" tune for the hymn, depending on the region or tradition. * **1. The "Mueller" Tune (often called "Cradle Song"):** * This melody is very common in the **United Kingdom** and Anglican churches worldwide. * It first appeared in **1887** in "The Myrtle," a Unitarian Sunday School paper, and then more widely in James R. Murray's "Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses" (1892), where it was attributed to **Carl Mueller**. However, "Carl Mueller" may have been a pseudonym or simply an attribution to a traditional German style, as a definitive composer has never been identified. It evokes the feel of a traditional German lullaby. * **2. The "Kirkpatrick" Tune:** * This melody is most commonly used in the **United States**. * It was composed by **William J. Kirkpatrick** in **1895** specifically for the hymn. It first appeared in Charles H. Gabriel's "New Christian Hymnal" and Kirkpatrick's own "Sunday School Songs No. 1" that same year. Kirkpatrick was a prolific composer of gospel hymns and Sunday school songs, and his tune quickly became dominant in American Protestant churches and Sunday schools. 4. **Popularity and Legacy:** * Regardless of its murky origins and false attribution, "Away in a Manger" quickly became incredibly popular. Its simple, gentle message, focusing on the humility of Christ's birth and the innocence of the infant Jesus, resonated deeply. * It's particularly cherished by children due to its lullaby-like quality and easy-to-learn lyrics. * It remains a staple in Christmas carol services, children's pageants, and family gatherings around the world, enduring as one of the most beloved expressions of the Nativity story. In summary, "Away in a Manger" is an American-originated Christmas carol from the late 19th century. Despite a long-standing myth, it was not written by Martin Luther. Its lyrics emerged in 1885 (with the third stanza added around 1892), and it is commonly sung to one of two distinct melodies: the "Mueller" tune (popular in the UK) or the "Kirkpatrick" tune (popular in the US).