I believe this was the first song I sang as a solo in public. It was at a Christmas Eve service at First Church of the Nazarene, Nampa, Idaho, 1964. It’s still one of my favorites.
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky look 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 take us to heaven, to live with thee there.
Words: verses 1 & 2, anonymous. Verse 3 is by John Thomas McFarland.
Music: “Mueller,” James R. Murray, 1887
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