Do You Hear What I Hear?

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" is a highly popular Christmas song that was written during a time of international political crisis. While it is now a staple of the holiday season, its creators originally intended it as a powerful call for global harmony and peace.

The song uses Christmas imagery (such as a star, a lamb, and a king) to deliver a hopeful message that resonated deeply with the public upon its release.

Origins

The song was written in October 1962 by the husband-and-wife team of Noel Regney, who wrote the lyrics, and Gloria Shayne, who composed the music. Regney, a French native, had fought in World War II and was deeply disturbed by the escalating tensions of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The inspiration for the song came to him while walking through New York City, where he observed mothers pushing their babies in strollers. The song was first recorded by the Harry Simeone Chorale in November 1962 and gained massive popularity after Bing Crosby recorded his own version in 1963.

Meaning & Interpretation

The lyrics tell a story of a message of peace traveling from a night wind to a little lamb, then to a shepherd boy, a king, and finally to people everywhere. The imagery of a star with a tail as big as a kite is widely interpreted as a reference to a star of Bethlehem, though the writers also felt it symbolized hope in a dark sky. The song culminates in a powerful appeal for peace and charity, asking people to pray for peace and to bring warmth and silver to those in need.

Who composed the song Do You Hear What I Hear?

The lyrics were written by Noel Regney and the music was composed by Gloria Shayne. The couple wrote the song together in their home in Connecticut, finding the composition process so emotional due to the threat of nuclear conflict that they struggled to sing it through without crying.