I grew up in a singing family. Not that we a group or anything — though being the next Trapp Family Singers was a secret dream of mine when I was a little kid — but we did fill the house with music. Like my mom, I sang in church choirs. I was also a member of various school choirs, had roles in school musicals, and sang backup in a few bands through college (in case you’re wondering, my daughter followed in my and my mom’s footsteps). As you can imagine, I sang a lot of Christmas songs during those years in choir and chorus. I still do sing them. In fact, Let It Snow is playing in the background as I’m writing this post 🙂
One of my favorite classic Christmas carols is “Do You Hear What I Hear?” My mother, a huge Bing Crosby fan, liked his version the best, and that’s the one I heard played non-stop during the holidays as a kid. I admit, Mom and I differed on our feelings about Bing. How, decades later, I wound up marrying a man who is a huge Bing Cosby fan, I’ll never know. I prefer the Carrie Underwood or Whitney Houston versions of “Do You Hear What I Hear?”. Whoever sings the song, however, you have to admit, it’s a very moving piece.
Despite singing this song hundreds of times, I admit to knowing nothing about its history until I researched for this post. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” was written in 1962 by Noel Regney (lyrics) and Gloria Shayne (music) who were married at the time. To my surprise, I learned the meaning behind the song wasn’t to celebrate Christmas but, rather, it was a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Apparently, Regney was asked to write a Christmas song, but he had reservations because of the commercialism associated with Christmas. He overcame his reservations to write some of the most beautiful lyrics there are and a holiday classic.
That, too, makes this song interesting and different from so many others. Noel and his wife Gloria collaborated on many songs together, but usually he wrote the music and she wrote the lyrics. The opposite of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” It’s said that Noel drew his inspiration from watching babies being pushed in strollers on the sidewalks of New York City (Pray for peace people everywhere). Years later, his wife Shayne discussed the emotions surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis in an interview and said, “Our little song broke us up. You must realize there was a threat of war at the time.”
From now on, whenever I hear this song, I’ll remember the reason behind it, and that “Do You Hear What I Hear?” is much more than a nice little Christmas ditty. There is a timeless message in the words that is as meaningful today as it was sixty years ago.
And just in case you agree with my mom about Bing Cosby, here’s a link to a YouTube video of him singing “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
The history of this song is very interesting. Thank you for sharing with us.
That was great. I shall think differently of this song. It fits today as well.
My Mom liked Bing, too. She didn’t listen to a lot of any one singer, though. She let Daddy or one of us girls pick music. When I was older and working, I bought albums she said she’d like, and she’d listen to them with me, but I don’t remember her ever just deciding to listen to music and use the record player/stereo herself. She liked to listen to our church radio station, though, when it started in the 80’s!
I Iove that song and had no idea of its associated history.
I like that song as well, but favorite singer of it is Bing so I guess I agree with your mother.
Thank you so much for that bit of Bing Crosby. I haven’t heard that song for a good long time. It was beautiful. So many of us do not delve into where various songs, traditions and etc come from. Many thanks and have a blessed holiday season.
An interesting history for a wonderful song. Thank you.
I have always loved this song. I remember the time period during which this song was written. I was young, but still, it had a lasting effect on me. My family could all sing very well, too, but, at our school, it was sissified for a boy to be in choir. Such a shame! Of course, my sister and I were in choir at church and school. When we moved to OK, we joined a large church, that had a teen choir, and our high school had musicals!! That was, to me, the only redeeming thing about having to move at my age, except that I met my future husband here!! My mama was a huge Nat King Cole fan and had, possibly, all of his top selling albums. She also loved Bing Crosby, as did I!
I really like this song. It doesn’t matter who sings it, as long as they sing well! The history of the song is kind of sad though.
thanks for sharing. I had no idea behind this song.
You have chosen another lovely song. There are many carols that have been over used and I don’t enjoy as much as I used to. Do You Hear What I hear isn’t one of them. It is a lovely song and sentiment. I vaguely remember hearing something about its origins back when it was written. I think it odd that such a meaningful and touching song would break up a couple. I remember the Cuban crisis and it made you worry and care about those you loved even more. Bing’s version is fine. He had a wonderful voice and sang or was in many movies that I enjoyed, his personal life aside. There are other versions I enjoy. There delivery is a bit difference giving a subtle difference to the meaning and impact.
Thank you for sharing. I hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season.