From the 1960s to the 1980s, Diamond was one of the more successful pop music performers, scoring a number of hits. As critic William Ruhlmann writes, "as of 2001, he claimed worldwide record sales of 115 million copies, and as of 2002 he was ranked third, behind only Elton John and Barbra Streisand, on the list of the most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart."[1] As of May 2005 he has sold 120 million records worldwide, including 48 million records in the U.S.[2]
Though his record sales declined somewhat after the 1980s, Diamond continues to tour successfully, and maintains a very loyal following. Diamond's songs have been recorded by a vast array of performers from many different musical genres.
Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, and then in 2000 was given its Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early part of 2011.
In 2008 Neil Diamond scored his first ever Billboard number one album with "Home Before Dark", the album also became his first studio album to get to number one in the UK.
Do You Hear What I Hear
Neil Diamond 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
In Neil Diamond's song "Do You Hear What I Hear," the lyrics tell a story of a series of conversations between different characters. The song begins with the night wind speaking to a little lamb, asking if it sees what the night wind sees in the sky. The night wind is referring to a star, which it describes as dancing in the night with a tail as big as a kite. This imagery suggests a bright and extraordinary star that captures the attention of the night wind and the little lamb.
Next, the little lamb asks a shepherd boy if he can hear what the lamb hears. The lamb is referring to a song ringing through the sky. It describes the song as having a voice as big as the sea. This emphasizes the power and beauty of the song, which fills the sky and captivates the shepherd boy.
The shepherd boy then goes on to ask a mighty king if he knows what the shepherd boy knows. The king is located in his warm palace, unaware of what the shepherd boy is about to reveal. The shepherd boy informs the king that there is a child shivering in the cold. This child, who symbolizes purity and innocence, is in need of help and compassion. The shepherd boy suggests bringing silver and gold to the child.
Finally, the king addresses the people everywhere, urging them to listen to his message. He encourages them to pray for peace and acknowledges the presence of the child who is sleeping in the night. The king believes that this child will bring goodness and light to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Said the night wind to the little lamb
The gentle breeze whispered to the innocent lamb
Do you see what I see
Are you able to perceive the same sight as me?
Way up in the sky, little lamb
High above us in the heavens, dear lamb
Do you see what I see
Do you witness the spectacle I witness?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
A shimmering celestial body gracefully moving amidst the darkness
With a tail as big as a kite
Its luminous trail extending magnificently like a kite's tail
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite
Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
The innocent lamb spoke to the young shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
Can you perceive the sounds that I perceive?
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy
Resonating throughout the vast expanse of the heavens, shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
Do you listen to the same melody that I listen to?
A song, a song, high above the trees
A melodic composition soaring above the towering trees
With a voice as big as the sea
Boasting a resonant voice as mighty as the vast sea
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
The humble shepherd boy addressed the powerful king
Do you know what I know
Are you aware of the knowledge I possess?
In your palace warm, mighty king
Within your cozy palace, oh mighty king
Do you know what I know
Do you possess the same understanding I do?
A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
An innocent Child trembles in the frigid temperature
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bestow upon Him precious treasures of silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Let us bring Him silver and gold
Said the king to the people everywhere
The monarch spoke to all individuals across the globe
Listen to what I say
Pay attention to the words I utter
Pray for peace, people everywhere!
Invoke prayers for peace, people residing in every corner!
Listen to what I say
Listen attentively to my message
The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night
The Child, peacefully resting during the nighttime
He will bring us goodness and light
He will provide us with kindness and illumination
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light
Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Written by: Noel Regney, Gloria Shayne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind