This well-known song was first published in the late nineteenth century. While some consider it to be the work of Martin Luther, it is now widely believed to be a work of unknown origin.
Fred Gealy (1894-1976) writes that the lyrics were probably written in the mid-1800s by an anonymous American. The music was composed by a J. E. Clark. Afterward, the music director of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, a man named Charles Hutchinson Gabriel, published a new version of the hymn that included the third verse.
Whoever may have written the original version, “Away in a Manger” remains to this day one of the most beloved Christmas songs for believers.
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Sources: Discipleship Ministries + Pexels - Rasmus Svinding