Child in the Manger

One of the most popular Scottish Carols is Child in a Manger, sung to Bunessan, the tune used for Morning Has Broken. The Carol was written by Mary MacDonald, born in 1789 at Torranuachdrach near Bunessan on the Ross of Mull. Mary was a Gaelic hymn-writer and poet of some prowess. She lived with her husband and ten children in a basic dwelling enduring all the typical crofting hardships of that period.

Child in the manger, Infant of Mary,
Outcast and Stranger, Lord of all,
Child Who inherits all our transgressions,
All our demerits on Him fall.

Once the most holy Child of salvation
Gently and lowly lived below.
Now as our glorious mighty Redeemer,
See Him victorious o’er each foe.

Prophets foretold Him, Infant of wonder;
Angels behold Him on His throne.
Worthy our Savior of all our praises;
Happy forever are His own

In Gaelic:

Leanabh an aigh
An leanabh aig Mairi
Rugadh san stàbull
Righ nan dùl
Dh’fhulang nar n-àite