Do You Hear What I Hear?
Percy Faith & His Orchestra and Chorus Lyrics

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Said the night wind to the little lamb
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

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 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
Do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king
Do you know what I know
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
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

Overall Meaning

The song "Do You Hear What I Hear?" was written by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker in 1962, during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, as a plea for peace. The song tells the story of three messengers, a night wind, a little lamb, and a shepherd boy, who bring news to a mighty king of a special child who will bring peace to the world. The song's lyrics are filled with symbolism and Christian imagery, but the message of peace is universal and can be understood by people of all religions.

The song's first verse tells of the night wind asking the little lamb if it sees a star with a tail as big as a kite. The star is a metaphor for the birth of Jesus, and the tail represents the shining light that the star cast. The second verse tells of the little lamb asking the shepherd boy if he hears a song high above the trees, with a voice as big as the sea. The song is a metaphor for the angels' announcement of Jesus' birth, and the voice represents the power and majesty of the angels. The third verse tells of the shepherd boy telling the king about a child who shivers in the cold, and suggesting that they bring him silver and gold. The child is a metaphor for Jesus, and the gifts symbolize the tribute and honor that he deserves. The final verse tells of the king exhorting the people to pray for peace and hope, and also mentions the child's potential to bring goodness and light to the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Said the night wind to the little lamb
The wind spoke to the little lamb

Do you see what I see
Do you notice what I notice?

Way up in the sky, little lamb
High in the sky, little one

A star, a star, dancing in the night
A star that moves with a lively motion

With a tail as big as a kite
It has a tail that's as extensive as a kite's

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
The little lamb talked to the boy that looks after them

Do you hear what I hear
Can you perceive what I perceive?

Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy
Echoing through the atmosphere, boy

A song, a song, high above the trees
A tune, a tune, above the forest canopy

With a voice as big as the sea
The sound is as vast as the ocean

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
The boy informed the ruler