In a magical moment that still lingers in the hearts of many, Susan Boyle, the Britain’s Got Talent Season 3 finalist, graced a New York City holiday special in 2010 with her breathtaking performance of “Away in a Manger.” Dressed in understated elegance and joined by a youth choir, Boyle’s angelic voice soared through the classic carol, her gentle vibrato and steady tone weaving a tapestry of spiritual beauty. The performance, featured on her triple-platinum album The Gift, brought a sense of biblical euphoria to viewers, capturing the true essence of the season. With every note, Boyle proved once again why her voice transcends borders, resonating deeply with fans around the globe
In a magical moment that still lingers in the hearts of many, Susan Boyle, the Britain’s Got Talent Season 3 finalist, graced a New York City holiday special in 2010 with her breathtaking performance of “Away in a Manger.” Dressed in understated elegance and joined by a youth choir, Boyle’s angelic voice soared through the classic carol, her gentle vibrato and steady tone weaving a tapestry of spiritual beauty. The performance, featured on her triple-platinum album The Gift, brought a sense of biblical euphoria to viewers, capturing the true essence of the season. With every note, Boyle proved once again why her voice transcends borders, resonating deeply with fans around the globe
The Britain’s Got Talent Season 3 finalist performed the song a year after she went viral on the show.
In 2010, Susan Boyle put a unique spin on a classic Christmas carol.
How to Watch
Watch America’s Got Talent on NBC and Peacock.
When the Britain’s Got Talent Season 3 finalist appeared on a holiday special in New York City over a decade ago, she performed a breathtaking rendition of “Away in a Manger” that will send chills down your spine.
During the performance, a youth choir sang the introduction lyrics before Boyle jumped in, crooning with some gentle vibrato. The song reached a lovely crescendo as Boyle sang with a steady tone, wrapping things up with a confident note.
Listen to the wonderful performance here.
That wasn’t the only time that Boyle has sung a universally beloved gospel tune. In 2019, she also appeared on BBC’s Song of Praise to sing “Amazing Grace” at the Glasgow Cathedral. Watch the performance here.
Susan Boyle attends the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards at The Hydro on December 14, 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
And listen to Boyle’s studio version of “Away in a Manger” in the video, below. The song appears on Boyle’s 2010 holiday album The Gift, which reached number one both in the U.K. and U.S. and is certified triple platinum. Other covers featured on the record include “O Holy Night” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
What to know about “Away in a Manger”
“Away in a Manger” is a classic Christmas carol with music composed by hymn writer William J. Kirkpatrick in the late 1800s. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, the tune was penned in Philadelphia in 1895, and was originally titled “The Cradle Song.”
Per The Cincinnati Enquirer: As of today, it is unknown who wrote the lyrics of the song, as they were previously incorrectly credited to theologian Martin Luther. However, C. Michael Hawn, professor of sacred music at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, said that the lyrics first appeared in an 1885 Sunday school book titled Little Children’s Book for Schools and Families. Lyrically, the songs tell the story about the birth of Jesus according to the Bible.
Susan Boyle herself has a strong faith. “My faith is incredibly important to me on every level,” she told The Christian Post. “It gets me through those moments of self-doubt and also allows me to understand that this gift of my career, later in life, is from a higher power.”
