Lyrics
Verse 1
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
Verse 2
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 tree
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea
Verse 3
Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know?
In your palace wall 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
Verse 4
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
He will bring us goodness and light
Outro
He’s come to bring us goodness and light
Do you know what I know?
Do you see what I see?
Do you hear what I hear?
Do you hear what I hear?
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Do You Hear What I Hear? is a Christmas carol told as a chain of messages. The night wind speaks to a little lamb about a star dancing in the night, the lamb tells a shepherd boy about a song high above the tree, the shepherd boy tells the mighty king about a Child shivering in the cold, and the king tells the people everywhere to pray for peace because the Child will bring goodness and light.
The story is a retelling of the nativity, drawing on Luke 2:8-20 for the shepherds, Matthew 2:1-11 for the star and gifts of silver and gold, and Isaiah 9:6-7 for the Child who brings peace. The closing questions pass the news on to everyone. The question-and-answer format and gentle verses make the carol easy to sing and appropriate for children and families at Christmas.
Related Scripture
- Luke 2:8-20 Shepherds hear the angels and go to see the newborn Savior.
- Matthew 2:1-11 Wise men follow a star and bring gifts to the newborn king.
- Isaiah 9:6-7 A child is born who brings endless peace.