Away in a Manger

"Away in a Manger" was known to be first published in the 19th century, but the words were once attributed to the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther, and was also called either "Luther's Cradle Song" or "Luther's Cradle Hymn." Nowadays, the carol is believed wholly American in origin. There are two common musical settings for this song: this cover by John Denver is based on James R. Murray's in 1887 (a setting also referred as "Mueller").

Away in a Manger was track one on side two of Rocky Mountain Christmas, Denver's tenth studio album, and first Christmas album, released in 1975. He will have two more Christmas albums; this carol will be featured again in Denver's third, Christmas, Like a Lullaby, in 1990.

Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, activist and humanitarian, Denver was born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. on 31 December 1943. He lived most of his life in Aspen, Colorado: the state named him Poet Laureate in 1974, and in 2007, also adopted Denver's 1972 signature hit "Rocky Mountain High" as its second state song. In his career, he will be inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and will receive awards from Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards, Country Music Association, Emmy Awards, and Grammy Awards. Denver died in 1997 when the aircraft he was flying solo as pilot crashed.

Interesting bit of trivia: John Denver in 1985 asked to join U.S.A. for Africa's recording of "We are the World." He was turned down. Later he performed in Farm Aid, a benefit concert organized by Willie Nelson (who was in U.S.A. for Africa), John Mellencamp and Neil Young.

This month, liwaliw Sounds features covers of Christmas carols and tunes by great musical performers born on December, and whose passing have left a great legacy in popular music.