Away in a Manger
About this arrangement
Two tunes compete for these words. James R. Murray published this one, now called Mueller, in 1887 under the title Luther's Cradle Hymn, and it became the standard in the United States. In Britain most people sing William J. Kirkpatrick's Cradle Song of 1895 instead.
Learn the top line alone first - that is the melody. Then add the second note in the right hand, then the left hand. The dotted rhythm in bars 2 and 9 is where the waltz lilt comes from, so let the dotted note sit a little longer.
Start with short loops.
Use the section list as a practice map. Start at 50% tempo, loop one section, then return to the full piece once the hand shape feels stable.
Choose Right or Left to focus on one hand. Wait for note checks the highlighted notes as you play them on the screen or a connected MIDI keyboard.
Before you practice.
01 Is Away in a Manger hard on piano?
The tune is easy, but this hymn setting puts two notes in each hand. Play the melody alone first if chords are new to you.
02 Which Away in a Manger tune is this?
Mueller, by James R. Murray (1887), the version most people in the United States know. The British tune is Kirkpatrick's Cradle Song.
03 What key is this edition in?
F major, which has one flat, B flat.
