This is a cover of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" written by Noel Regney.
The Story behind the song:
This beloved Christmas song, with its timeless call for peace, remains as meaningful today as it was when it was first written during the tense days of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Though many people mistakenly believe that this Christmas classic has European origins and has been around for centuries, it was actually composed in 1962, during the height of the Cold War, by a man who had witnessed the brutal realities of war firsthand.
The song’s urgent message of peace feels just as crucial today as it did over six decades ago.
A Quest for Light in a Dark Time
Noel Regney, a French-born composer, seemed destined for a distinguished musical career. He studied at the Strasbourg Conservatory and the prestigious Conservatoire National de Paris. However, his promising path was interrupted by World War II, when his homeland fell to Nazi occupation. Regney was drafted into the German army, much against his will.
Loathing the Nazi regime that had overtaken his country, Regney joined the French Resistance, secretly working against the occupiers while still in uniform. His duties included gathering intelligence and, when possible, warning the French fighters of German attacks.
One mission, however, would haunt him for the rest of his life. Regney was tasked with leading a group of German soldiers into an ambush, where French fighters could trap them in a crossfire. Regney was shot during the mission, but miraculously survived, while the French Resistance sustained only minor injuries. The sight of German soldiers falling—many fatally wounded—would stay with him forever.
Regney never publicly discussed the details of that day, though it is believed that his injury was deliberately inflicted by the French to protect him from retaliation, as the injury made it seem like he was unaware of the trap.
After deserting the German army, Regney hid with the French Resistance for the remainder of the war. “Only then did I feel free,” he later remarked.
In the years following the war, Regney became a well-known figure in the French music scene. He served as musical director at Radio France’s Indochinese Service and worked as the music director for the Lido nightclub in Paris.
In 1952, Regney relocated to New York City, where he composed for early television shows and created commercial jingles. His compositions also included more serious works, like the 1971 concert suite Slovenly Peter and the five-part cantata I Believe in Life (1975). He is also remembered for writing the 1963 hit Dominique, which was performed by the Singing Nun, Soeur Sourire.
A Collaboration of Hearts and Minds
In the late 1950s, Regney married pianist and composer Gloria Shayne, whom he had known for only a short time. Their daughter, Gabrielle, fondly recalls her mother’s musical genius: "She’s an extraordinary pianist and composer with perfect pitch.”
Gloria Shayne composed many popular songs, including Goodbye Cruel World (a hit for James Darren) and The Men in My Little Girl’s Life (a hit for Mike Douglas). She also worked alongside Jack Keller to pen Almost There, a hit for Andy Williams. While Gloria’s work was mostly pop music, Noel’s compositions leaned toward classical and avant-garde styles. Their creative synergy was unique, with Gloria writing the lyrics and Noel composing the music for most of their collaborations. But when they worked on Do You Hear What I Hear?, they swapped roles.
The song they created together in 1962 would become their most enduring contribution to music, and its message of peace would resonate for generations.
The Birth of a Christmas Classic
The backdrop to the creation of Do You Hear What I Hear? was one of the most perilous moments in modern history. In October of that year, the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war. Tensions were at their peak, with the world holding its breath as these two superpowers faced off. The threat of global catastrophe was real, and people everywhere feared the worst.
Amid this terrifying uncertainty, Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne composed their heartfelt plea for peace. Do You Hear What I Hear? was a response to the fears of that moment, a powerful reminder of the need for hope, understanding, and, above all, peace in a world on the brink of destruction. The song’s message has never felt more relevant than it does today.
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