Do You Hear What I Hear?

Album: I Wish You a Merry Christmas (1963)
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  • Do you hear what I hear? (Hear what I hear)
    Said the night wind, to the little lamb
    Do you see what I see? (Do you see what I see?)
    Way up in the sky, little lamb
    Do you see what I see? (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? (Do you hear what I hear?)
    Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy
    Do you hear what I hear? (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? (Do you know what I know, know what I know)
    In your palace warm, mighty King
    Do you know what I know? (Do you know what I know, 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 (listen to what I say)
    Pray for peace, people, everywhere
    Listen to what I say (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 (goodness and light) Writer/s: Gloria Shayne, Noel Regney
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • Mike H. from Austin, TxMike from Jackson, TN - you're describing "Little Drummer Boy," not this tune.
  • Emily from South ChesterfieldThat Christmas song came out when i was born.
  • Mark from Tupelo, MsMike in Jackson, TN... you're a wet blanket. You must be thinking of another song. Regney and Shayne wrote the song in 1962. His song writing credits are well documented, easily verified. You should check your facts before you discredit someone. Here's a slightly more credible resource.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/01/nyregion/noel-regney-songwriter-known-for-do-you-hear-what-i-hear-is-dead-at-80.html
  • Mike from Jackson, TnI don't want to be a wet blanket, but I think this song was around before 1962--as early as the 1940's. I think the Trapp Family Singers sang a version, then the Harry Simeone chorale, both in the 50's, and it wasn't original with them. Wikipedia, never a secure authority, says it was taken from a Czech carol in 1941 by noted choral writer Katherine K. Davis. It is nonetheless a lovely carol.
  • Gina from Princeton, WvAh ha! The Ralph Carmichael Chorus and Orchestra were backing him up! Such a classic sound!!!
  • Gina from Princeton, WvAmazing song! Does anyone know who the backup singers are?
  • Camille from Toronto, OhAs a young child, I remember hearing this song one Christmas season on the radio my dad would sometimes play in the living room. I remember getting still and listening to the beautiful words sung by Bing Crosby's melodic voice. The words drew pictures in my mind and spoke right to my heart, even at my young age. Great song.
  • Chomper02 from Shippensburg, PaThis song was used in the Rankin - Bass animated christmas special : "The Little Drummer Boy". In the series, after the silver bells were saved ; the man who made the bells played them, and the song was sung by children as the scene shows scences relating to the song.
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