7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Away in a manger,
No crib for His 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
Well that was a surprise, went looking for the author of Away in the Manger and discovered there is controversy over this. Most people think it was Martin Luther, and yet others say "I dunno" and others say John T. McFarland wrote it. Go figure. :) I was just surprised.
Originally it only had two verses and then a third was added later on. First known as a poem in a play in 1895. It was part of a celebration of Luther's birth. It was called Luther's Cradle Hymn.. but Luther didn't write it. It appeared after his death.
The third verse was added in 1892. And it appears for a while there were four verses to this familiar hymn. (source) Generally though, Away in the Manger has settled to the three verses we know today (though I have to admit to being taught in college a fourth verse that used John 3:16).
I have to admit to teaching my son a change to verse two. Where it says "no crying he makes" we sing "some crying he makes". Crying is not a sinful thing, it's a way for babies to communicate with others.