If you were to listen to the popular Bing Crosby version of the Christmas classic, “Do You Hear what I Hear?”, you’d be forgiven for thinking the song is a simple diddy about the nativity of Christ, a very appropriate topic considering that this is what the holiday is about. You might also, however, notice a few anomalies with regard to the lyrics that could clue you in to the less obvious intent of Noël Regney and Gloria Shayne, the authors. For instance, why does a star have a “tail as big as a kite”? What is this “voice as big as the sea”? That doesn’t sound like the silent night that is normally ascribed to the birth of Jesus; quite the opposite.
If you look into it, you’ll discover that this song, far from being a centuries old church hymn or folk song, was written in 1962 at the height of the Cuban Missile crisis. The authors describe it as a plea for peace. With this information, one can easily interpret the star in a different manner, and it becomes clear why a star would have a tail. The song is worth an extra listen with consideration after this revelation regarding the situation.
For the younger readers or those who need a refresher, the Cuban Missile Crisis was an event that happened during the John F. Kennedy administration, after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba by the United States. Cuba wanted a strong deterrent for another invasion, one that revolutionary dictator Fidel Castro feared might succeed. The Soviets attempted to move ICBMs to the island…which would give Cuba a strong deterrent against further American invasions. President Kennedy put a “Quarantine” (aka blockade) around Cuba to prevent further nuclear missiles from reaching the island. For a few weeks in late October 1962, Americans, Russians, and the people of the world were bracing for the very real potential of nuclear annihilation. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and a peaceful resolution was agreed to.
In an age where distrust between America and Russia are approaching similar levels, and where our federal government seems to be actively pursuing options on another war without congressional approval, this song hits closer to home than maybe it would in better times. Hopefully we don’t see such macabre stars hanging in the night sky any time soon, and hopefully the kings of the world will choose peace.
While we’re waiting for the New Hampshire House of Representatives to vote on the Defend the Guard Act in early January, I would suggest that any believers who read this should follow the advice of the song and pray for peace. Any non-believers who wish to give it a shot, know that it can’t hurt and that you’re welcome to participate as well.
