David Healy’s Iconic Christmas Football Chant

The “Away in a Manger” chant associated with David Healy is considered among football’s greatest Christmas songs. David Healy, Northern Ireland’s record goal scorer, holds a special place in the heart of the nation, making his connection to a famous festive football chant particularly fitting. During the mid-2000s, Northern Ireland supporters began adapting the Christmas carol “Away in a Manger” to serenade their talismanic striker. This involved substituting the last two words of the opening verse, “he lay,” with Healy’s surname. The adapted lyrics are: “Away in a manger/No crib for a bed/The little Lord Jesus/Laid down His sweet head/The stars in the bright sky/Looked down where Healy! Healy! Healy! Healy!” Healy, a Killyleagh native, scored 36 goals in 95 appearances for his country. His memorable goals include the winner against England at Windsor Park in 2005, which marked Northern Ireland’s first victory over their neighbours since 1972, and a hat-trick in a 3-2 win against Spain in 2006. He also scored a record 13 goals in 12 games during the qualifying campaign for the 2008 European Championship, an achievement recognized by a special award from then-Uefa president Michel Platini. Gary McAllister, chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs, told BBC Sport that Healy “gave us all belief, no matter who we were playing that we actually had a chance of getting a result”. He believes the 45-year-old “gets in the Northern Ireland greatest XI easily”, alongside players like George Best and Pat Jennings. McAllister stated that fans initiated Healy’s chant during a period when his organization, the Irish FA, and supporters were actively working to remove sectarian chants and introduce a new song list. He remarked, “I just remember it really catching on,” adding, “I thought it was very clever.” His most cherished recollection of hearing the chant occurred the day following the famous victory over England in 2005. McAllister recounted, “The next day, Colin Murray sang the song on Radio 1, before playing commentary of the goal.” BBC Sport invited fans to submit their own favourite festive football chants, with suggestions coming in via Facebook, Instagram, and X. Alan Woodward contributed: “Mane’s scoring, All around us, Kopites singing, having fun, It’s the season, love and understanding, Merry Christmas, Everton…” Ever since Sadio Mane scored a dramatic late winner to sink Everton in December 2016, Liverpool fans have taunted their neighbours each festive season with this take on Shakin’ Stevens’ Merry Christmas Everyone. Amy Zaman submitted: “FIIIIIIIVE CANTONAAAAAS! Four Cantonas, three Cantonas, two Cantonas and an Eric Cantona!” Manchester United fans gave “Twelve Days of Christmas” a simple makeover to create this paean to former captain Eric Cantona. The French forward joined Sir Alex Ferguson’s side from Leeds in 1992 and won four Premier League titles in five seasons. @FergusBeechief offered: “Oh they played in South Morocco, Japan, the USA. But the greatest game they ever played was here on New Year’s Day.” This song, and variants of it, can be heard being sung by Hearts fans at Tynecastle and references the Edinburgh derby between Hearts and Hibernian, which has traditionally taken place on or around New Year’s Day, but this year is on the Boxing Day fixture list. The song begins: “Have you heard of the Heart of Midlothian/Have you seen them in marone/Have you heard of the Heart of Midlothian/They’re the greatest team I know.” @JasonBlue625023 submitted: “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas.. Just like the ones I used to know.. Where the three points glisten.. Their strikers gan missing.. And we see Habib score a goal…” Newcastle fans adapted Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” to laud their right-back Habib Beye, who played at St James’ Park between 2007-09. His only goal for the club was a stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 victory against Birmingham City in December 2007. David Farren offered: “I’m dreaming of a Frank Lampard, Just like the one at Elland Road, When the ball came over, And Frank fell over and scored the winning goal.” Another take on Bing Crosby’s yuletide classic, this West Ham chant (which usually contains an unfestive expletive) celebrates a famous 1980 FA Cup semi-final winner against Everton by Frank Lampard senior. After a 1-1 draw at Villa Park, the replay at Elland Road was tied at 1-1 before Lampard sent the Hammers to Wembley with a diving header late in extra time. His celebration, jigging around the corner flag, became iconic. Lampard junior copied his dad’s celebration when he scored the winner against Everton in the 2009 FA Cup final. Sandi Toksvig is joined by Gyles Brandreth, Lulu, Emmanuel Sonubi and Alan Davies Grab the mic for Queen, Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry and more… Ben Fogle and Kate Humble are back for the festivities at Longleat Safari Park From micro plastics in our air, soil, and waterways, to the extent of food waste at this time of year © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.