Tag: AMerryViolinChristmas

Time for our third video in the #AMerryViolinChristmas compilation – a collection of Christmas Carols arranged for beginner violin and Piano. If you haven’t yet, make sure you grab your copy today! Today, we’re learning “Away in a Manger”, so watch the video above and have a go. In addition, discover some more about the history of this great carol below.

About Away in A Manger

Having first been published in the late nineteenth century, Away in a Manger has gone on to become one of the most popular Christmas carols in the English speaking world. It is thought to be American in origin, despite having originally been attributed to Martin Luther.

While there are many versions of the lyrics, with variants on almost every line, a version by William Kirkpatrick published in 1895 has now developed into being the standard version that is most well known.

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
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.

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 take us to heaven to live with thee there.

Taken from “Around the World with Christmas: A Christmas Exercise”, by E.E. Hewitt, John R. Sweeney, and William J. Kirkpatrick (1895)

Two wonderful melodies

Finally, There are two well-known versions of this melody. Firstly, James R Murray’s version known as “Mueller” is most popular in America. And secondly, William J. Kirkpatrick’s version known as “Cradle Song” which is most popular in Britain. In this video, I am looking at Kirkpatrick’s “Cradle Song”

Have a Merry Violin Christmas

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Violin Christmas collection, and that you’ve spread some joy using these arrangements. Finally, if you haven’t seen them yet, check out the other videos in the #AMerryViolinChristmas collection – this was the third one I produced this year, along with Joy to the World and Silent Night.

Time for our second video in the #AMerryViolinChristmas compilation – a collection of Christmas Carols arranged for beginner violin and Piano. If you haven’t yet, make sure you grab your copy today! Today, we’re learning “Silent Night”.

It’s Christmas time! Time for Christmas Carols!
The problem is that many Christmas Carols are written in keys that aren’t friendly for the violin, especially for the beginner violinist, who initially learns notes in G, D and A major, whilst carols are often written in F, Eb and Bb major.

So I’ve arranged ten favourite carols for beginner violin, and made it available for free on my website – and I’m going to teach you how to play them. Today, we’re learning “Joy to the World”.

If you’re learning these, I encourage you to share your progress – tag your video with #AMerryViolinChristmas and I’ll watch and comment some encouragement for you.