Anthony Evans - Do You Hear What I Hear? Lyrics
Lyrics
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?
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 the sea,
With a voice as big as the 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."
Video
Do You Hear What I Hear
Meaning & Inspiration
Anthony Evans presented his profound interpretation of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" on February 28, 2018, breathing new life into a cherished Christmas carol. While the original composition has captivated generations with its layered narrative, Evans's rendition skillfully amplifies the timeless message, guiding those who experience it through a deeply moving spiritual journey. His vocal performance, characterized by both power and gentle reverence, allows the song's essential truth to resonate with a clarity that encourages reflection on the miracle at the heart of the Christian faith.
The carol itself masterfully unfolds the story of Christ's birth through a series of humble witnesses, creating a narrative chain that begins with creation and ascends to humanity. It progresses from the night wind's observation of a unique star, shared with a little lamb, to the lamb’s description of a celestial song, conveyed to a shepherd boy. This shepherd boy then brings news of a shivering Child to a mighty king, and finally, the king disseminates the universal truth of the Child's divine purpose to all people. Each step in this unfolding revelation builds anticipation and understanding, drawing the observer closer to the pivotal event in human history.
Evans's powerful vocal delivery in "Do You Hear What I Hear?" elevates this narrative beyond a mere recounting of events, transforming it into an invitation for personal discovery and spiritual awakening. His interpretation emphasizes the journey of understanding that begins with a simple observation and culminates in a profound realization of God's presence among us. The song becomes a spiritual testament, urging each of us to consider what wonders God reveals in our own lives and how we, in turn, share that divine insight with others, echoing the chain of witnesses within the lyrics.
The song's initial imagery of "A star, a star, dancing in the night / With a tail as big as a kite" immediately calls to mind the celestial beacon that guided the Magi. This miraculous star, far from being a random astronomical event, served as God's deliberate sign to announce the arrival of His Son, a fulfillment of ancient prophecies. Just as Matthew 2:2 recounts the Magi asking, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him," the carol reminds us that God speaks through creation, using magnificent signs to declare His will and usher in momentous epochs. This divinely orchestrated light piercing the darkness symbolizes the greater spiritual light Christ would bring.
Following this, the lamb's account of "A song, a song high above the trees / With a voice as big as the sea" unmistakably refers to the angelic chorus that appeared to the shepherds. Luke 2:13-14 vividly describes this scene: "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'" This heavenly declaration was not just an auditory spectacle but a proclamation of ultimate peace and goodwill, signifying that God's plan for redemption had been set in motion. The angelic song was a divine symphony heralding the advent of the Prince of Peace, bringing tidings of great joy for all people, as promised through generations of longing and prophecy.
The shepherd boy’s urgent message to the mighty king about "A Child, a Child shivers in the cold" highlights the incredible humility of Christ's birth. Despite being the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus entered the world in profound simplicity and vulnerability, born in a manger because there was "no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). This powerful contrast between the expected grandeur of a king's arrival and the reality of a shivering infant in a stable underscores the sacrificial nature of God's love. The call to "bring him silver and gold" transcends material offerings, prompting us to offer our very best—our lives, our worship, our devotion—to the One who humbled Himself for our salvation (Philippians 2:6-8).
Finally, the king’s proclamation to "people everywhere, 'Listen to what I say!'"—that "The Child, the Child sleeping in the night / He will bring us goodness and light"—encapsulates the universal impact of Christ’s coming. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). This Child, born in obscurity, became the source of all truth, grace, and redemption, illuminating humanity's path and dispelling the shadows of sin and despair. The king's call to "Pray for peace" is a direct response to the reign of this Prince of Peace, whose presence establishes a spiritual kingdom of peace that transcends all earthly conflict.
Anthony Evans’s rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" is more than a seasonal tune; it's a powerful affirmation of faith, a reminder of God's miraculous intervention in human history, and an invitation to participate in His ongoing story. It encourages us to open our spiritual eyes and ears, to recognize the divine messages around us, and to share the transformative "goodness and light" of Christ with a world deeply in need. The song serves as an enduring call to remember the profound implications of that silent night, inspiring us to carry its message of hope and peace into every corner of our lives.