They are each led to a "mighty king," whom they tell of a child in the cold and ask to bring the child silver and gold (much as the Biblical Magi, which in tradition with prophecies in the Book of Isaiah and Psalm 72 are often characterized as kings, did with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh).
[citation needed] Regney wrote the lyrics for the song, while Shayne composed the music in October 1962.
and "Pray for peace, people everywhere" after watching babies being pushed in strollers on the sidewalks of New York City.
Crosby also performed the song on a Bob Hope Christmas television special on December 13 of that year.
Among the most notable are: Regney said that his favorite version of the song was performed by Robert Goulet; as The New York Times noted, when the singer came to the line "pray for peace, people everywhere", he "almost shouted the words".
[9] Houston originally recorded the song as part of the various-artists compilation A Very Special Christmas in 1987, omitting the first verse.