Child in the Manger
"Child in the Manger" was originally written in Gaelic by Mary M. Macdonald. It's called "Leanabh an Àigh".
The song was translated to English around 1888 by Lachlan Macbean for "Songs and Hymns of the Gael".
The tune is a traditional Gaelic melody called Bunessan. In 1931, a song called "Morning Has Broken" was written by Eleanor Farjeon to the same tune. A version of that song was later sung by British singer Cat Stevens.
Child in the Manger
Christmas Carol
Child in the manger!
Infant of Mary,
Outcast and stranger,
Lord of all!
Child who inherits
All our transgressions,
All our demerits
On him fall!
Monarchs have tender
Delicate children,
Nourished in splendor,
Proud and Gay;
Death soon shall banish
Honor and beauty,
Pleasure shall vanish,
Forms decay.
But the most holy
Child of Salvation,
Gentle and lowly
Lived below;
Now as our glorious
Mighty Redeemer,
See Him victorious
O'er each foe.
Prophets foretold Him --
Infant of wonder;
Angels behold him
On His throne;
Worthy our Savior
Of all their praises,
Happy for ever
Are His own.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Image: Illustration to Milton's On the Morning of Christ's Nativity (Detail), William Blake, UK, 1809.
