PIANUMERO
Easy piano · 9 keys

Kirkpatrick · Away in a Manger easy piano by numbers

William J. Kirkpatrick, Away in a Manger, tune « Cradle Song » (1895) · 27 s · 52 notes · public domain

Away in a Manger is easy to play on the piano with numbers. One hand, 9 keys, about 27 seconds: press the numbers in order, as they light up, and the lesson waits for you. Free, no account needed.

▶ Play it now

On paper: the 25 easiest songs, in a printable book · 2 songs free to print

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The interactive lesson needs JavaScript. Meanwhile, here is the whole song in numbers.

Kirkpatrick · Away in a Manger piano notes: G C C D E C C E · F G G A F D E F · F G E E C E D A …

The number sheet

The whole song, in numbers. Print it, or put it on your piano.

1G·4C·4C·5D·6E·4C·4C·6E·
7F·8G·8G·9A·7F·5D·6E·7F·
7F·8G·6E·6E·4C·6E·5D·2A·
4C·3B·1G·4C·4C·5D·6E·4C·
4C·6E·7F·8G·8G·9A·7F·5D·
6E·7F·7F·8G·6E·6E·4C·6E·
5D·2A·3B·4C·

How to play Kirkpatrick · Away in a Manger on the piano

The gentle Christmas lullaby about the baby Jesus in the manger. This is the tune called Cradle Song, written by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895 and the usual one in Britain, Ireland and Canada. The original is in F major; here it is moved to C major, so it stays on white keys.

This easy version uses 9 keys (all white keys) and the right hand only: 52 notes, about 27 seconds at 106 BPM in 3/4 time. It has no words.

  1. Find key 1: G3 (below middle C). The other numbers go up from there, one white key each.
  2. Press ▶ Listen to hear the song while the numbers light up.
  3. Press 🎹 Play it and play the numbers in order; an arrow shows the next key, and the lesson waits for you.
  4. Want the rhythm too? Press 🌧 Falling notes: each note falls onto its key, and its length shows how long to hold it (how falling notes work).
  5. Finish the song for up to three stars — fewer mistakes, more stars.

The keys

NumberNoteKeyWhere
1GG3below middle C
2AA3below middle C
3BB3below middle C
4CC4middle C
5DD4above middle C
6EE4above middle C
7FF4above middle C
8GG4above middle C
9AA4above middle C

New to numbers? How piano numbers work · Where is middle C? · Know do re mi? The same keys in do re mi

Kirkpatrick · Away in a Manger in letter notes

Show the whole song in letter notes, line by line

G C C D E C C E

F G G A F D E F

F G E E C E D A

C B G C C D E C

C E F G G A F D

E F F G E E C E

D A B C

How to read piano letter notes

Questions

How do you play Kirkpatrick · Away in a Manger on the piano, the easy way?

With one hand and 9 keys: put a finger on key 1, G3, and number the keys the song uses from there. Then press the numbers in order: 1 4 4 5 6 4 4 6 (in letter notes: G C C D E C C E). The whole song lasts about 27 seconds; the lesson on this page shows the next key and waits for you.

How many keys do I need for Kirkpatrick · Away in a Manger?

9 keys, all white keys, played with the right hand: 1 = G, 2 = A, 3 = B, 4 = C, 5 = D, 6 = E, 7 = F, 8 = G, 9 = A.

What are the first notes of Kirkpatrick · Away in a Manger?

In numbers: 1 4 4 5 6 4 4 6. In letter notes: G C C D E C C E.

Is Kirkpatrick · Away in a Manger free to play and share?

Yes. Kirkpatrick · Away in a Manger is in the public domain (William J. Kirkpatrick, Away in a Manger, tune « Cradle Song » (1895)). This easy arrangement, its number sheet and its MIDI file are free to use and share for learning.

Can I play it without a piano?

Yes: tap the keys on the page on a phone or tablet, or press the numbers 1–9 on a computer keyboard. The lesson waits for the right key and shows the next one.

How long does it take to learn?

The whole song lasts 27 seconds at 106 beats a minute. Most beginners play it through within a few tries; lower the speed with the slider to go slower.

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