Song facts
- Original key
- F major
- Type
- Christmas carol
- Music
- James Ramsey Murray (died 1905)
- Original lyrics
- Anonymous (American) (traditional)
- First published
- 1887
Public-domain songs · Christmas carol instrumental
Away in a Manger
Play the Away in a Manger instrumental in the original key of F major, or from 3 semitones lower to 2 higher. Made by MR Maker from a public-domain score.
Last reviewed:
Backing track by key
The original key is F major. If it sits too high or too low for your voice, try the shifted versions and pick the one you can sing comfortably.
3 semitones lower (D major)
2 semitones lower (E♭ major)
Original key (F major)
2 semitones higher (G major)
About this song
Long printed as Luther's Cradle Hymn, this children's carol is in fact American; no Luther source exists. Its anonymous verses circulated in US periodicals from the early 1880s, and James R. Murray, a Cincinnati music editor, published the tune now called MUELLER in Dainty Songs for Little Lads and Lasses (1887). It remains the usual US melody, while Britain prefers Kirkpatrick's CRADLE SONG. The 1917 Common Service Book prints it in F major, in a gentle 3/4.
Rights
The melody is in the public domain (first published 1887). MR Maker made this accompaniment from a public-domain score. It contains no lyrics, translations or third-party recordings.
Need a backing track for another song?
Upload an audio file you have the rights to use, remove the vocals, and change the key.
Make a backing track from my file