“Away In A Manger” is a beloved Christmas carol, known and sung by many around the world. Its simple melody and heartfelt lyrics make it a perfect addition to any holiday gathering. If you’re just starting out on guitar, you’ll be happy to know that “Away In A Manger” is also incredibly easy to learn! Using just three basic guitar chords, you can quickly play this classic tune and share the festive spirit with family and friends. This guide will walk you through the guitar chords for “Away In A Manger”, and even introduce you to some fundamental concepts about song structure to enhance your musical understanding.
The Essential Guitar Chords for “Away In A Manger”
To play “Away In A Manger”, you only need to master three major chords: A, D, and E. These are foundational chords that every beginner guitarist should learn early on. Let’s take a look at how to play each of these chords.
A Major Chord
The A major chord is a bright and commonly used chord in many songs. Here’s how to finger it:
- Index Finger: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (4th string).
- Middle Finger: Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Ring Finger: Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Strum all strings from the A string (5th string) down.
Alt text: Diagram showing how to play the A Major chord on guitar for the song Away In A Manger, with finger positions clearly marked.
D Major Chord
The D major chord is another essential chord, known for its cheerful and resonant sound. Here’s how to form it:
- Index Finger: Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Middle Finger: Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Ring Finger: Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string (1st string – mistakenly labeled as ‘high E’ in the original image – should be high E string or 1st string).
- Strum from the D string (4th string) down. Avoid strumming the low E string (6th string).
Alt text: Guitar chord diagram illustrating the D Major chord for playing Away In A Manger, indicating finger placement on the fretboard.
E Major Chord
The E major chord is a powerful and driving chord that adds energy to songs. Here’s how to play it:
- Index Finger: Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Middle Finger: Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the A string (5th string).
- Ring Finger: Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (4th string).
- Strum all strings.
Alt text: Illustration of the E Major guitar chord diagram, useful for learning Away In A Manger, showing finger positions for beginners.
If you’re looking to make your chord changes smoother, practicing chord transitions is key. Songs like “Away In A Manger”, with its simple chord progression, are fantastic for practicing smooth chord changes. Consider checking out resources on smooth chord changes to further refine your technique.
“Away In A Manger” Lyrics and Guitar Chords
Now that you know the chords, let’s put them together with the lyrics of “Away In A Manger”. The song follows a repeating chord pattern throughout all verses, making it easy to memorize and play.
**Verse 1:**
[A]Away in a manger, no [D]crib for a [A]bed,
[E]The little Lord Jesus laid [D]down his sweet [A]head.
[A]The stars in the sky looked [D]down where he [A]lay,
[E]The little Lord Jesus a[A]sleep in the [D]hay. [E] [D]Use the same chord pattern for the remaining verses:
**Verse 2:**
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 til morning is nigh.**Verse 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 take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.Understanding Song Structure: Intro and Outro
Playing “Away In A Manger” is not just about strumming chords; it’s also about understanding basic song structure. Even simple songs like this one can be enhanced with elements like an intro and outro. These transitions help to frame the song and make your performance sound more polished.
Creating an Intro
An intro is a musical passage at the beginning of a song that sets the tone and tempo, preparing the listener for what’s to come. For “Away In A Manger”, a simple and effective intro can be created by using the chord progression from the last line of the verse: E – A – D – E – D.
By playing these chords before you start singing, you give your audience a musical cue, allowing them to recognize the song immediately and even sing along from the start.
Here’s how it looks with the intro added to our chord chart:
**Intro:** [E] [A] [D] [E] [D]
**Verse 1:**
[A]Away in a manger, no [D]crib for a [A]bed,
[E]The little Lord Jesus laid [D]down his sweet [A]head.
[A]The stars in the sky looked [D]down where he [A]lay,
[E]The little Lord Jesus a[A]sleep in the [D]hay. [E] [D]
... (Verses 2 & 3 follow the same pattern) ...Crafting a Simple Outro
Just as an intro starts a song, an outro provides a sense of closure. For “Away In A Manger”, you can create a gentle outro by simply repeating the intro chord progression E – A – D – E – D and slowing down the tempo (ritardando) as you play the last couple of chords. This creates a peaceful and calming ending to the carol.
Here’s the complete structure with both intro and outro:
**Intro:** [E] [A] [D] [E] [D]
**Verse 1:**
[A]Away in a manger, no [D]crib for a [A]bed,
[E]The little Lord Jesus laid [D]down his sweet [A]head.
[A]The stars in the sky looked [D]down where he [A]lay,
[E]The little Lord Jesus a[A]sleep in the [D]hay. [E] [D]
... (Verses 2 & 3) ...
**Outro:** Ritard [E] [A] [D] [E] [D]Conclusion
“Away In A Manger” is a beautiful and easy Christmas carol to learn on guitar, especially for beginners. With just three chords – A, D, and E – you can play the entire song. By adding a simple intro and outro, you can enhance your performance and create a more complete musical experience. Practice these guitar chords, learn the lyrics, and soon you’ll be able to play “Away In A Manger” for all to enjoy this Christmas season! Happy playing!
