Little Drummer Boy / Peace On Earth
Bing Crosby / David Bowie Lyrics


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Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
Peace on Earth can it be? (come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Years from now, perhaps we'll see? (a newborn king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
See the day of glory (our finest gift we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
See the day, when men of good will (to lay before the king pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Live in peace, live in peace again (rum-pum-pum-pum, Rum-pum-pum-pum)
Peace on Earth (so to honor him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Can it be (when we come)

Every child must be made aware
Every child must be made to care
Care enough for his fellow man
To give all the love that he can

I pray my wish will come true (little baby pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
For my child and your child too (I stood beside him there pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
He'll see the day of glory (I played my drum for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
See the day when men of good will (I played my best for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Live in peace, live in peace again (rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum)
Peace on Earth (and he smiled at me, pa-ram-pam-pam-pam)
Can it be (me and my drum)




Can it be
Is a pretty thing isn't?

Overall Meaning

The song "Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth" by Bing Crosby and David Bowie is a Christmas classic that focuses on the true meaning of the holiday season: peace and goodwill towards all. The opening lines of the song tell the story of the Wise Men who have been summoned to visit the newborn King with their finest gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The drumming sound (pa-rum pum pum pum) represents their journey to Bethlehem. They have come to witness the "day of glory" and to lay their offerings "before the King". The lines "Peace on Earth can it be?"/ "Years from now, perhaps we'll see?" express hope that the birth of Jesus will ultimately lead to a world of peace and unity.


The second verse of the song emphasizes the importance of teaching children to love and care for others, and to work towards making the world a better place. The idea of every child being taught to care for his fellow man is a reflection of the underlying message of Christmas, which is to love one another.


Overall, the song "Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth" communicates the hopeful message that peace on earth is possible through love and goodwill towards all. It encourages us to focus on what truly matters during the holiday season: spreading joy, kindness, and peace to all those around us.


Line by Line Meaning

Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
Someone mentioned to me with a low drum beat


Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness the arrival of our newly born king, playing the same beat


Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We have got valuable presents to offer while playing drumbeat


Peace on Earth can it be? (come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Expressing doubt on the accumulation of peace on this planet


Years from now, perhaps we'll see? (a newborn king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Suggesting peace isn't an immediate accomplishment and it may take several years to achieve, while keeping the same beat


See the day of glory (our finest gift we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Imagining a future when history will recall all the good work we have done, in the rhythm of the drumbeat


See the day, when men of good will (to lay before the king pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
A day everyone with good intentions will have something to present to the king, without interrupting the drumbeat flow


Live in peace, live in peace again (rum-pum-pum-pum, Rum-pum-pum-pum)
With the sound of drumbeat continuing, envisioning a utopia where people live together peacefully


Peace on Earth (so to honor him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Striving to achieve world peace for the honor of our Savior, while playing the same drumbeat


Can it be (when we come)
Raising the same question on whether world peace can be achieved, while keeping the same tempo


Every child must be made aware
Highlighting the importance of teaching every kid about the significance of peace, with no accompanying drumbeat


Every child must be made to care
Insisting that it is equally imperative to make every child care about peace, with no beat


Care enough for his fellow man
Stressing the idea of showing care towards every human, in the absence of any musical instrument


To give all the love that he can
Encouraging everyone to love others as much as they can, without any rhythm to accompany


I pray my wish will come true (little baby pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Making a heartfelt prayer for a peaceful future, with a slight beat in the background


For my child and your child too (I stood beside him there pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Wishing for peace for our kids, and the rhythm of the drumbeat still holding


He'll see the day of glory (I played my drum for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Seeing a future where our children will be proud of what we have achieved, and the sound of drumbeat supporting


See the day when men of good will (I played my best for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Envisaging a day when individuals with good character will come forward to spread love, and the tune of drumbeat remaining constant


Live in peace, live in peace again (rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum)
Describing an ideal future with no conflicts and everyone living harmoniously, with the unbroken rhythm of drumbeat


Peace on Earth (and he smiled at me, pa-ram-pam-pam-pam)
Reflecting back and seeing our Savior smiling at us, with a significant drumbeat added towards the end


Can it be (me and my drum)
Pondering over the possibility of achieving peace, while recollecting that we have our drum to help us reach there




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HENRY ONORATI, KATHERINE K DAVIS, HARRY SIMEONE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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