Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy
David Bowie / Bing Crosby Lyrics
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A newborn 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? (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)
Live in peace, live in peace again (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)
Peace on Earth (then he smiled at me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Can it be (me and my drum)
Can it be
the lyrics to David Bowie and Bing Crosby's song, "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy" are filled with religious and spiritual themes. The song's title combines the classic Christmas song, "Little Drummer Boy," with the wish for "Peace On Earth." The opening lines of the song introduce the drummer boy as someone who has been told to come and see the newborn king and bring his finest gifts. The repetition of the "pa-rum-pum-pum-pum" drum beat creates a rhythmic tension and excitement, leading to the crescendo in the chorus.
However, it's the chorus that marks the contrast to the simple, joyful verses: "Peace on Earth, can it be?" The lyrics question the possibility of peace on Earth, and suggest that it may only be possible years from now, and only if men of good will live in peace. The song's message is that peace is something we all need to work towards, every child must be made aware and care enough for his fellow man, to give all the love that he can. The drummer boy hopes and prays that his wish of Peace on Earth will come true not only for himself but for his child and everyone else's too.
In conclusion, the song is a plea for peace and love, and the belief that it can only be achieved if we all work towards it. The lyrics are a reminder that each one of us has a role to play in making the world a more peaceful place.
Line by Line Meaning
Come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
They summoned me with the sound of a drum
A newborn king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
To lay eyes on a newly born, princely figure
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
We present our most valuable offerings
Rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
The drum beats with a repetitive sound
Peace on Earth, can it be? (Come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Can we truly achieve peace on Earth? (They summoned me with the sound of a drum)
Years from now, perhaps we'll see? (A newborn king to see pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Maybe in the future, we'll witness this king's greatness? (To lay eyes on a newly born, princely figure)
See the day of glory (our finest gift we bring pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Observe a day of triumph (We present our most valuable offerings)
See the day, when men of good will (to lay before the king pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Witness the moment, where people of goodwill (offer their gifts before the king)
Live in peace, live in peace again (rum-pum-pum-pum)
Exist in a peaceful state once more (The repetitive sound of the drum)
Peace on Earth (so to honor him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Let there be peace on Earth (To show respect and regard for him)
Can it be (when we come)
Is it possible (upon our arrival)?
Every child must be made aware
Every child should be informed
Every child must be made to care
Every child should be taught to feel compassion
Care enough for his fellow man
Feel enough empathy for one's neighbor
To give all the love that he can
To exhibit as much affection as possible
I pray my wish will come true (little baby pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
I hope for my desire to be fulfilled (Tiny infant, I drummed for you)
For my child and your child too (I stood beside him there pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
For my offspring and yours as well (I was standing next to the baby there)
He'll see the day of glory (I played my drum for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
They will witness a day of triumph (I played my drum for the baby)
See the day when men of good will (I played my best for him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Observe the moment when people of goodwill (I did my best for him on my drum)
Live in peace, live in peace again (rum-pum-pum-pum)
Exist in a peaceful state once more (The repetitive sound of the drum)
Peace on Earth (then he smiled at me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)
Let there be peace on Earth (Then the baby smiled at me)
Can it be (me and my drum)
Is it possible (just me and my drum)?
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alan W Kohan, Ian Fraser, Lawrence A Grossman
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.