This pretty Christmas carol is not found in crumbling hymn books or on the back of a bar napkin from a pub in Ireland dating to the 14th century. Nope, this lovely song is a much more modern tune that has a very interesting history.
Written in October of 1962 by Noel Regney and his spouse, Gloria Shayne Baker, this was both a response to a project request and a plea for peace. These two wrote together often enough, but it was usually Noel who wrote the music and Gloria wrote the lyrics except in this case. They were contacted by a record producer to come up with a new Christmas song, and they hesitated because they were opposed to the commercialization of Christmas. Instead, the Cuban missal crisis was his inspiration for the lyrics. The pair was not able to perform their song because it caused them great emotional despair.
The lyrics "Said the night wind to the little lamb, 'Do you see what I see?'" and "Pray for peace, people everywhere" were written while watching mothers pushing their babies and toddlers along the streets in New York. The whole thought of the Cuban Missal Crisis broke their hearts and fed the fuel to create. This crisis was very real, and people lived with the threat of nuclear war at any moment. They wrote the song while desperate for peace, and it was released after Thanksgiving of 1962, which was after the resolution of the crisis.
The most well known rendition of this song is by Bing Crosby who performed it on the Bob Hope show. The most admired performance of this song by the authors was Robert Goulet’s version because it was as if he were shouting “pray for peace, people everywhere”.
On that note, here is Mr. Goulet’s version.
While the crisis ended and other things took place, this is still a very powerful song that has been part of the Christmas tradition for over 50 years.
As you enjoy this song, take a look at all of these wonderful gift ideas from some very talented artists and collectors.
White Howlite Bracelet with Gunmetal Charm for a Small-Medium Wrist
Romantic Couple Dancing
Paris Theme Cover fits Silhouette Cameo
Puppy Love Dalmatian and Beagle Hanging Dish Towel With Hand Knit Topper and Ties
925 India Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet
Earthy Jasper Carnelian Earrings Carved Bone Beads Gold Tone Handmade Jewelry
Crocheted Snowflake Ornament
Red and White Christmas Angel Pendant
Hand Beaded White Flower Earrings
White Freshwater Pearl Bracelet
White Pearl Bracelet, Victorian Style Bracelet
Gnome Party Tent Cards
Vintage Wedding Bouquet Necklace
White Heart Bead Necklace and Matching Earrings
Ivory White Art Deco Vintage Plastic Earrings Scalloped Shaped
Rustic Natural Magnesite and Copper 19 inch Gemstone Necklace
Three Shepherds Christmas Ornament using White Lace
Cow, Rooster, And Chicken Farmyard Scene Christmas Ornament
Ladies Shawl Wrap Hand knit Ladder Lace Winter White Caron Simply Soft Cream
Opaque White Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads
Lampwork Sterling Silver Earrings
White Pelicans 5 x 7 note card print of original watercolor painting Florida migrating birds
Classic Red Tartan Plaid Pet Scrunchie Neck Ruffle
Christmas Snowman Earrings, Handmade Swarovski Pearl Crystals Holiday Winter Jewelry
White Glass Pearl Necklace Set Two Strands With Earrings Gift Box
White Mother of Pearl Shell and Diamonique Sterling Earrings Judith Ripka
See something you just cannot live without or that would make a great gift for someone on your gift list?
Buy it now because handmade, artisan jewelry is HOT, HOT, HOT and sells fast!
Enjoy all of these goodies, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, you can find more at:
Week 1
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Week 4
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Week 6
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Week 8
Here We Come A’Wassailing
Deck the Halls
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Good King Wenceslas
I Saw Three Ships
The 12 Days of Christmas
Children Go Where I Send Thee
All of these handmade designers are ready to make something for you. Just ask them!
Enjoy,
Julie and Blu
PS – last week, I included a copy of the song, but in editing, it was lost – so here it is again:
Wonderful whites and more! Thank you, Julie and Blu! I'll be sharing...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful selections, Julie and Blu. Thank you so much for including my earrings. Shared.
ReplyDeleteall shared
ReplyDeleteThank you for including my earrings in your Christmas collection, will share.
ReplyDeleteThis week's song is one of my favorites, though I am partial to Bing Crosby. Thanks for including Penny and our plaid scrunchie neck ruffle in your selection of gift ideas! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that the Cuban Missile Crisis was the inspiration for the song!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you so much for featuring my 3 shepherds lace ornament!
Fascinating history of the song. I always thought it was an old English song, not something written during the duck and cover Cuban Missile Crisis. Many thanks for adding the elegant snowman earrings with the rest of the other pale pretties. Will share far and wide.
ReplyDeleteAnd Seamus sends Blu tasty treats and hopes that the lizards are still around there because they have gone into hiding here. He also says for Blu to chase a few lizards or squirrels for him.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie/Blu for the neat back story for the song - Very interesting to know the details.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the promotion.
Tweeted.
Very interesting history of this carol! Thanks, Julie and beautiful Blu, for sharing that and for this marvelous gathering of riches! Will be sharing, of course. :) Gonze hopes his royal Blu-ness is enjoying the healthy peanut butter and feeling 100%. xo
ReplyDeleteHoping all that White chases the warm weather away in TN and brings the SNOW! So pretty! Thank You for sharing my Handmade Vintage Wedding Bouquet Necklace. Will Share your wonderful Blog Spot :) Eve of EvezBeadz
ReplyDeleteI loved this when Johnny Mathis did it. Just love all Christmas songs and I have so enjoyed your weekly posts featuring one of them. Thank you again Julie for all that you do!! You are a very special person.
ReplyDeleteMissile Missile Missile - Bloody Autocorrect!!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite Christmas songs. Did not know the history of it. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing a little bit of history about such a lovely song. And thanks for including my lampwork beads.
ReplyDeleteYour posts are always so interesting, Julie. I didn't know the origins of that song. Thanks for all you do to promote your fellow artists and thanks for including my snowflake ornament. Wishing you peace for the rest of this year and ever onward. Will share.
ReplyDeleteI love that song so glad to know how it was created. Thank you for including my angel pendant. Have shared.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful selections, Julie! Thank you for including my earrings. Will share!
ReplyDelete