In 1962 a record producer invited Noël Regney to write a Christmas song. With his then wife, Gloria Shayne they wrote “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Regney wrote the lyrics that was set to music by Shayne. 
While it was meant to be a Christmas song, they wrote it as a plea for peace, since there was a threat of war in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The song’s narrative combines parts of the Christmas story and its characters along with the message to pray for peace.
While the Harry Simeone Chorale originally recorded it in 1963, it was Bing Crosby’s recording that made it a hit song. So many prominent artists have since recorded it and is now considered one of the Holiday standards.
The first time I learned and sang this song was the year my Mom recruited me to join our church choir. I think I was 11 or 12 years old at the time. It was one of the fun songs I liked to sing during Christmas time.
The African Children’s Choir once again sings in this recording. It’s a wonderful crescendo and build up to the message of the song “pray for peace people everywhere! the child sleeping in the night, he will bring us goodness and light.”
Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or on YouTube. This is the Dec. 22 Song Blog from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.
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