This Primary Christmas song of Away in a Manger is slightly different than the version we regularly sing. So check out these Away in a Manger Primary singing time ideas that focus on this lesser-known variation.
These singing time lesson plans, including these for Away in a Manger, are so reliable and make singing time fun and easy for both Primary music leaders and the Primary!
My favorite idea below is a combination of the scarf actions and the review cards (ideas #1 and #2). The scarves focus primarily on the verses and the review cards focus on the chorus making them each a great fit!
However, don’t miss other ways to engage with Away in a Manger in singing time with these activities (click the link to jump to that section below)
This information comes from Stories from The Children’s Songbook by Sister Pat Graham.
…The verses in the songbook were edited to match the hymnbook words. The “Asleep, asleep” chorus is especially childlike.
The 1985 hymnbook uses a melody by William Kirkpatrick, but the composer of the tune in this collection remains unknown.
Find the Children’s Songbook sheet music to Away in a Manger on the Church’s Website. Everyone pretty much knows these lyrics, however the Children’s Songbook version is slightly different with a chorus:
1. Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
[Chorus] Asleep, (Asleep,) asleep, (asleep,) asleep, the Savior in a stall! Asleep, (Asleep,) asleep, (asleep,) asleep, the Lord of all.
2. The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes; But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
3. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.
You may also want to check out the sing along video for Away in a Manger. It’s a great way for you to easily become more familiar with it or to show to your Primary during singing time.
Find Away in a Manger in a printable flip chart format so you can easily post the words in your Primary!
Or this Away in a Manger flip chart with pictures is also available to download:
These printables are filed on the Resource Library page under Song Title > Away in a Manger.
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Teach Away in a Manger in singing time using scarves! The graceful melody of this beloved Primary song comes to life as children follow along with simple, flowing scarf movements that match its gentle rhythm.
To teach Away in a Manger, I recommend starting with the chorus.
The chorus to the Children’s Songbook merits 2 groups. One group to sing the higher “asleep” notes and the other group to sing the lower “asleep” notes (highlighted pink and yellow in the flip chart).
To create various groups so one group isn’t always singing the higher or lower notes, use Singing Time Review Cards!
ADDITIONAL MOVEMENT: When each group sings their assigned “asleep” lyric, have them raise their hands with a gentle shake as they hold their note and stand up. Then stop and sit down when the other group begins their “asleep” lyric.
When you sing the words “asleep the Savior in a stall” and “asleep the Lord of all” cradle your arms and mimic rocking a tiny baby.
Each time you repeat, choose a new necklace to change up your 2 groups!
The printables are also available in the Resource Library filed under Song Title > Away in a Manger.
Subscribe to my free newsletter and get instant access to my Resource Library, which includes this file and all of my other free singing time printables!
Click the button below and enter your information to gain access to the Resource Library!
Here’s what Becky shared for using these visuals:
Teach “Away in a Manger,” phrase by phrase, along with the corresponding shape or portion of the picture. (I plan on uncovering each phrase on the paper as I teach it, so the kids don’t sing ahead).Have the children trace the shape in the air as you sing and repeat the phrases. Use the shapes, one by one, to draw the manger and shepherd scene on the chalkboard. Once the children sing a couple of times through, you can have an older child come up and draw the scene on the chalkboard while you sing it with the kids. Then, pass out paper and pencils and have all the children draw the scene while you sing it.I like this idea, because the first half of the song talks about the little baby Jesus in the manger, and that’s what you draw while you sing. Then, the second half of the song talks about asking the Savior to be with us, and during that time, you draw the shepherd. It provides an opportunity to talk about how the Savior is the Good Shepherd, and how we can invite His presence in our lives.
Check out this demonstration video for teaching Away in a Manger in singing time using this lesson plan:
You can also find this Away in a Manger video on my YouTube channel. I’d love it if you’d like and subscribe!
These handbell charts for Away in a Manger use mostly chords (the exception is on the chorus – the bells play the both echoes of the “asleep”).
This handbell chart is for Away in a Manger from the Children’s Songbook.
And also available is a bell chart for Away in a Manger found in the hymnbook.
These printables are filed on the Resource Library page under Song Title > Away in a Manger.
Subscribe to my free newsletter and get instant access to my Resource Library, which includes this file and all of my other free singing time printables!
Click the button below and enter your information to gain access to the Resource Library!
Also make sure to check out using handbells in Primary for more information about where to purchase and how to use them in singing time.
A Children’s Songbook Companion contains a singing time lesson plan for every single song in the Children’s Songbook including Away in a Manger.
These printables are filed on the Resource Library page under Song Title > Away in a Manger.
Subscribe to my free newsletter and get instant access to my Resource Library, which includes this file and all of my other free singing time printables!
Click the button below and enter your information to gain access to the Resource Library!
Simplified ASL is always a great route when teaching a new Primary song. Holly’s video includes an explanation of the signs:
Then sing along with her here for practice before teaching:
Check out more ideas and tips when signing in singing time.
Sharla has some simple movements for teaching Away in a Manger:
Find more more Christmas singing time ideas here!
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Away in a Manger.
Singing time just got even easier! With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print! Be prepared for the entire month – every month!
Be prepared in singing time for the entire month – every month! And all you have to do is print!
These singing time ideas for teaching the Primary song, Love Is Spoken Here will help your Primary fall in love all over again with this song! My favorite is using a match-up activity that puts the double melody together! But whatever you choose, these Love Is Spoken Here singing time ideas are bound to accommodate your Primary’s learning style and needs!
The 2nd hour of church has significantly changed for Sunday School, Relief Society, Elders Quorum and all youth classes. However, Primary received a minor change that you might not have noticed.
Add an extra touch of fun to your Primary program by passing out invitations. On the big day, pull it all together with a unique 2026 Primary program bulletin created by your Primary children!
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Singing time just got even easier! With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print! Be prepared for the entire month – every month!
6 thoughts on “Away in a Manger Song & Words (with Printable Activity)”
The draw along activity printables are not in the reserve library.
Hi Shara!
I just double checked and the printables are in my Resource Library. You can find them under Song Title > Away in a Manger. The document is entitled “Away in a Manger Drawing a Manger Scene.” I’ll also email you the direct link. I hope that helps!
~Camille
I would love to access many things listed in your resource library index but every time I try to print from a pdf file it goes through all the motions and once I press print and wait some time, it finally says that I have an error in printing. I receive things with pdf files all the time and never have a problem before I tryed accessing your files. I’ve tryed and tryed to print the charts for handbells for Away in a Manger from the Children’s Songbook but am not having any luck. We’ve just been asked to do it in Sacrament meeting Christmas Day, using the bells. I have my own bells so am used to using them but because I am new to Primary Chorister I haven’t used this version and don’t have a chart. Also, am I supposed to re-register every time I want to access the resource library??? You have a lot of great ideas and helps – sure wish I could access them!
Hi Julia!
Sorry you are having trouble accessing my printables. If you don’t want to subscribe every time to access my Resource Library, simply bookmark my Resource Library on your web browser or it is linked in my weekly email that is sent every Friday (just save one of those emails for future reference). I’ll also email you the files for the bell charts for Away in a Manger.
~Camille
Would it be possible for you to email me the bell charts for “Away in a Manger” as well?
Thank you
Hi Janis!
I’ve emailed them to you. You can also find them on my Resource Library under Song Title > Away in a Manger. I hope that helps!
~Camille