W żłobie leży ("In the Manger He Lies") is a traditional Polish Christmas carol. In 1920, the song was translated into English as "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" by Edith Margaret Gellibrand Reed (1885-1933), a British musician and playwright. Reed found the carol in the hymnal Śpiewniczek Pieśni Kościelne (published 1908), though the song itself may date back as far as the 13th century. The Polish text could possibly be attributed to Piotr Skarga (1536-1612). The carol’s melody refers to the coronation polonaise of the Polish king, Władysław IV Vasa.

Its rhythm resembles that of the polonaise, one of the Polish national dances popularized, among others, by Frédéric Chopin. The short, rhymed phrases lead to a crescendo in each stanza's final lines: "Christ the babe is lord of all, Christ the babe was born for you!"

Polish lyrics

W żłobie leży! Któż pobieży Kolędować małemu Jezusowi Chrystusowi Dziś nam narodzonemu? Pastuszkowie przybywajcie Jemu wdzięcznie przygrywajcie Jako Panu naszemu.

My zaś sami z piosneczkami Za wami pospieszymy A tak Tego Maleńkiego Niech wszyscy zobaczymy Jak ubogo narodzony Płacze w stajni położony Więc go dziś ucieszymy.

English lyrics

English lyrics by Edith Margaret Gellibrand Reed (As appears in Carols for Choirs, Book 1 and 100 Carols for Choirs)

Infant holy, Infant lowly, For His bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, Little knowing Christ the Babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging Angels singing, Noels ringing, Tidings bringing, Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping, Shepherds keeping Vigil till the morning new; Saw the glory, Heard the story, Tidings of a Gospel true. Thus rejoicing, Free from sorrow, Praises voicing, Greet the morrow, Christ the Babe was born for you!

Notable recordings

The carol has been recorded by:

See also