- Sheet music and tab downloads are located below.
Practice Notes
Away in a Manger is a very simple beginner level carol. Beginners will have to be sure to get the 2nd finger low enough for the low 2s on the A string and high enough for the regular 2nd on the D string. Also, there are a few 4th fingers in the piece. If you have trouble with using the 4th finger, you can play the next higher open string instead.
The bow directions for this carol are very simple as well. Make sure to start with an upbow and then play back and forth the entire way from there.
Practice Exercise Suggestions
For working on accurate finger placements in G major, play these finger pattern exercises: G Major 2 Note Patterns
G Major 3 Note Patterns
Away in a Manger Information
The lyrics for Away in a Manger were thought for a long time to have been written by the German religious reformer Martin Luther. Some publications included the song and title it Luther's Cradle Song, or Luther's Cradle Hymn. However, research has shown that it is not the case. No one knows for sure who wrote the text. There are two versions of Away in a Manger that are popular today. The one by James R. Murray is the one arranged here for two violins and cello. This version is know as the Mueller version and the other is known as the Cradle Song.
My violin told on me…. I didn’t know violins could do that? 😂 😂