Story Behind Do You Hear What I Hear

There’s a wonderful book you must get if you love the Songs of Christmas.

Written by Ace Collins, Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas is a treasure trove you must have because it tells the stories behind the Christmas songs we all love.

I’ll give just one example from the book.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

I’ve always loved this song. After reading the story about how the song came into being, I’m even more impressed by the lyrics and music.

Gloria Shayne was an American, and Noel Regney was a Frenchman with a deep love of music.

When Regney was young, World War II broke out. He was forced into the Nazi army but managed to escape. He joined a band of resistance fighters. With the war over, in the 1950′s he came to the United States. He wandered into New York’s  Beverly Hotel and saw a beautiful woman playing the piano.

From Europe to America

Although he spoke little English, he introduced himself to Gloria Shayne. Within a month, Gloria and Noel were married.

These two seemed like complete opposites. Noel Regney was in the States to record classical music. Gloria Shayne was determined to write rock and roll music. Yet, they clicked I guess.

By the 1960′s, her song “Goodbye Cruel World” had been recorded by James Darren and was at the top of the charts. She was a song-writing machine.

For Noel, the constant wars since WWII involving France and the U.S.–Korea and Vietnam–brought back the horrors of WWII. He found himself disillusioned and depressed.

Regney searched for something to bring him peace. He wanted the all humankind to have a chance to live without hate, conflict, and fear.

Inspiration Leads the Way

Inspired, Regney wrote a poem about the first Christmas, concentrating on the events leading to the birth of Jesus.

He remembered walking through the fields in France and watching the sheep and thought about the innocence of a newborn lamb, appropriate since Jesus is often referred to as the Lamb of God.

When he finished the poem, he gave it to his wife and asked her to compose the music. She went shopping and the first line of music “came to her,” but there was a hiccup.

I won’t tell the rest of the story. You need to read Noel and Gloria’s story for yourself, and you can because it’s available in ebook for only $1.99. You can also find it in print.

Question of the Day: What is your favorite Christmas song?

Answer the question in Comments. Be sure and leave your email address written out to be entered in the random draw Giveaway this month. For details, see December Giveaway at the top of the left sidebar.

Takeaway Truth

Chances are the story of how your favorite song came to life is in this book. Add Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas to your Library for only $1.99 on Kindle and read the rest of Gloria and Noel’s story along with all of the others. You’ll love this book.

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