Do You Hear What I Hear?
Do you hear what I hear? It is one of the most beloved holiday songs of all time, especially favored among children. The tune was first written by Noël Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker and has been performed by a variety of musicians over the years. It has been recorded by artists such as Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Carrie Underwood, among countless others. Though many people are familiar with the song, not many know its origins. Let’s explore the powerful lyrics and history of “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
History and Original Lyrics
“Do You Hear What I Hear?” was originally composed by Noël Regney in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. As a French immigrant, Regney had experienced Hitler during the Nazi occupation of France, and he was very aware of the political tensions of the time. After witnessing a telecast of United Nations Ambassador Adlai Stevenson, Regney wanted to compose something inspirational in light of the dangerous situation.
The song was a collaboration between Regney and lyricist Gloria Shayne Baker, a Juilliard educated singer and composer who had written Christian hymnal lyrics for a previous project. In a 2019 interview, Baker recalled the emotional moment when Regney first heard the lyrics and how it moved him to “tears of joy.” The finalized lyrics read as follows:
“Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb
Do you see what I see
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
A song, a song, high above the tree
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king
Do you know what I know
A Child, a Child, shivers in the cold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere
Listen to what I say
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light.”
Interpretation
Though the song is associated with Christmas, the lyrics are not directly related to the holiday. The lyrics are a plea to all nations to come together in peace and harmony under the leadership of a strong and wise “mighty king.” It is a call to cherish the innocence of a sleeping child before war separates us in fear and darkness. The specific characters — the “night wind” and the “shepherd boy” — serve as symbolic messengers of this urgent message. The song ultimately bears a message of hope, that peace is achievable and that our differences should be seen as causes of celebration, not division.
Legacy
Since its creation, “Do You Hear What I Hear?” has been performed and recorded to critical acclaim. In 2004, Celine Dion released her own version of the song with singer-songwriter Peabo Bryson and it was certified gold. The album raised thousands of dollars for children’s charities around the world and secured the song’s place as an international hit.
Though the Cuban Missile Crisis is long over, the sentiment of peace and love remains at the core of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” It is a song of both nostalgia and hope — a moving and enduringly relevant holiday classic.