Peace On Earth & Little Drummer Boy
David Bowie / Bing Crosby Lyrics
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Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A new born king to see
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum
Peace on earth, can it be
Years from now, perhaps we'll see
See the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again
Peace on earth, can it be
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
For my child and your child too
He'll see the day of glory
See the day when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again
Peace on earth, can it be
Can it be
"Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" is a Christmas song originally performed by David Bowie and Bing Crosby in 1977. The song is a mash-up of the traditional Christmas carol "Little Drummer Boy" and a new song written by the American songwriter Ian Fraser, "Peace on Earth". The song is unique in its use of two completely different songs that complement each other surprisingly well.
The song begins with the drumming of a little boy announcing the arrival of a new born king. The drummer boy expresses his desire to meet the new king and offer him his finest gifts. The lyrics explore the theme of peace on earth, wondering if it can ever be achieved. The song underscores the importance of instilling values of love and care in every child, so that they may grow up to become men of goodwill who can live in peace with others. In the end, the song is a heartfelt prayer for peace on earth that is to be shared by all.
Line by Line Meaning
Come they told me
They came to me and said
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
The sound of my drum
A new born king to see
To visit a king who is just born
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
My drum is still sounding
Our finest gifts we bring
We bring our best presents
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
My drum continues its rhythm
Rum-pum-pum-pum
My drum's beat goes on
Rum-pum-pum-pum
My drum's beat goes on
Peace on earth, can it be
Is it possible to have peace on Earth?
Years from now, perhaps we'll see
Maybe someday in the future
See the day of glory
Witness the glorious day
See the day when men of good will
See the day when people with positive intentions
Live in peace, live in peace again
Live in harmony with each other
Every child must be made aware
Every child should understand
Every child must be made to care
Every child must learn to be compassionate
Care enough for his fellow man
Have enough concern for others
To give all the love that he can
To give all the affection he can
I pray my wish will come true
I hope my wish will be granted
For my child and your child too
For my child and your child as well
He'll see the day of glory
They will witness the glorious day
See the day when men of good will
See the day when people with positive intentions
Live in peace, live in peace again
Live in harmony with each other
Peace on earth, can it be
Is it possible to have peace on Earth?
Can it be
Is it possible?
Lyrics © PHRASER MORTON MUSIC , Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY SIMEONE, HENRY ONORATI, KATHERINE K DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@laurensavard6506
Thank you for sharing, John! Your words really resonated with me and my own sentiments regarding this song, and I wondered if you might appreciate an additional fact on it.
In late 2020, I learned through an ordinary internet search for facts about this song that it was recorded on September 11, 1978. To think that exactly 24 years to the day before 9/11 occured, two men from two different generations and countries would get together and sing such a beautiful song praying for peace on earth and goodwill among humanity gets me every time it comes to mind!
Something that especially touches me is when David Bowie shares before they sing that his son was 6 at the time they recorded the song, and he soon sings the line that his child would see a "day when men of goodwill would live in peace again." Interestingly, I've felt called to serve in response to 9/11 longer-term and plan to move from my home in Maryland to greater NYC (likely North Jersey) to do so. Since I was born in 1995, I was the age his son was on 9/11 (age 6). I've started listening to this song year-round as my sense of calling has developed, as it reminds me to do my part to work towards the vision Bing Crosby and David Bowie sang about all those years ago and to do what I can to encourage others to do the same thing.
While I've always loved it, this song has become so dear to me with these thoughts in mind over the past two years. I hope and pray their masterpiece can help many others in their own ways! 💙🙏🏻🇺🇸🇬🇧🌏
Best wishes and blessings for you and your loved ones from Harford County, MD, for Christmas, 2023, and always! 🙏🏻🎄☃️
@dorisblack7631
This song touches my soul everytime I hear it! Still listening in 2023! Two phenomenal artists. May they both rest in peace!!
@bottletree33
Yeah it’s beautiful. I try to listen to it every year. Great voices coming from two very different worlds.
@christinehughes6928
So magical love it ❤
@majorthumbsup8563
The finest!
@72mossy
It was like passing the old to new,
@DeborahAbelha
Me too 😢😢😢❤❤love
@EriksAngel15
Whoever came up with the idea to pair these two singers together was an absolute genius.
@bren4061
Took the word's out of my head
@I_Am_The_Paulrus
Bing Crosby's kids apparently
@stone1andonly
It was the combination of a couple very quirky tv producers and Bowie's mother's love of Bing Crosby that made it happen. They get the credit for putting together the icons of two different ages to create one of the holiday season's most immortal duets, one that will outlive us all. I was fortunate enough to be watching that show that night.