Luther's Away in a manger?

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Not quite…🙂
But most likely a very nice Protestant carol.
Merry Christmas to all…

Away in a Manger" was first published in an 1885 Lutheran Sunday School book by James R. Murray (March 7, 1841 - March 10, 1905), but the author of the first two stanzas is unknown. There are at least two major melodies for the song: one, “Cradle Song”[1], more commonly encountered in Britain; the other, “Mueller”[2], more commonly found in the USA. The tune commonly used in Britain was written by William J. Kirkpatrick and was first published in 1895. The tune commonly used in the US was written by James R. Murray and first published in 1887. It is certain that stanza three was added in 1904 by Dr. John McFarland of New York City.

Some have attributed the song to Martin Luther himself. The confusion may have began because Murray published it with the subtitle “Luther’s Cradle Hymn (Composed by Martin Luther for his children and still sung by German mothers to their little ones).”

The carol is associated with the tune “Mueller” in some churches and with the tune “Cradle Song” in others. In 2004, John Tavener composed a new setting for the words. This setting was performed at the service of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge in 2005

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Away_in_a_Manger
 
Hi,

What are your objections to the song? My catholic friends sing the song. I thought the words were neutral:confused:

AFH
 
So what’s the problem?

Its a beautiful carol, and I personally have no objections even granting Luther himself composed it.
 
It’s a beautiful song. I don’t care who wrote it. Besides, Protestants have written other beautiful Christmas songs: what’s not to like about “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley or “Joy to the World” by Isaac Watts?
 
It’s a beautiful song. I don’t care who wrote it. Besides, Protestants have written other beautiful Christmas songs: what’s not to like about “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” by Charles Wesley or “Joy to the World” by Isaac Watts?
Exactly. It is the message that it conveys which counts.
 
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