Do You Hear What I Hear?
Bob Dylan (Holiday) Lyrics
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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
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 trees
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
The song "Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Bob Dylan (Holiday) is a conversation between nature and human beings about a significant, yet humble birth of a child. The first and the second stanza involve the little lamb and the shepherd boy, respectively, and their exchange with the night wind. The night wind asks the lamb if she sees the star that is dancing in the sky with a tail as big as a kite. Similarly, the lamb asks the shepherd boy if he hears the song that is ringing through the sky and is as big as the sea. The third stanza portrays how even the mighty ones can be unaware of the significant event, as the shepherd boy tells the king about the child who shivers in the cold. Finally, the king takes responsibility and asks the people to pray for peace and accept the child who will bring goodness and light to the world.
The song uses metaphors throughout to describe the importance of a newborn, who is yet to become the savior of humankind. It symbolizes that even the smallest of creatures can know and acknowledge the importance of someone who will bring peace and light to the world. The song also reminds the listener of the essence of humanity, and how we should all come together to welcome the goodness and light that the child will bring.
Line by Line Meaning
Said the night wind to the little lamb
The night wind addressed the little lamb
Do you see what I see?
Can the little lamb observe what I do?
Way up in the sky, little lamb
The object in question is situated high in the sky, little lamb
A star, a star, dancing in the night
A star is shining and moving about in the night sky
With a tail as big as a kite
The star has a tail that is quite hefty
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
The little lamb addressed the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear?
Can the shepherd boy perceive what I do?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy
There is a sound resonating through the sky, shepherd boy
A song, a song high above the trees
The sound is a song, situated high up above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
The song is loud, much like the vastness of the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
The shepherd boy addressed the mighty king
Do you know what I know?
Are you aware of what I am aware of?
In your palace warm, mighty king
You are residing in a cosy palace, mighty king
Do you know what I know?
Do you share my knowledge?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
There is a child who is freezing in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
We ought to share our wealth with him
Said the king to the people everywhere
The king addressed the people all around
Listen to what I say!
Pay attention to my words!
Pray for peace, people, everywhere
People should pray for peace to prevail throughout the world
Listen to what I say!
Focus on what I am saying!
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
The child we mentioned earlier is sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bestow upon us goodness and illumination
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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