Peace on earth/the little drummer boy
David Bowie / Bing Crosby Lyrics


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Come they told me
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

Overall Meaning

The song “Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy” is a duet between David Bowie and Bing Crosby, recorded in 1977 for a Christmas television special. The song features a classic Christmas tune blended with powerful lyrics that evoke feelings of hope and longing for peace.


The song begins by describing the arrival of a newborn king, a reference to the birth of Jesus Christ. The “finest gifts” mentioned are symbolic of the gifts of the Magi, who traveled to see the baby Jesus and bring him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, the lyrics take a turn towards a deeper meaning when Bowie sings, “Peace on earth, can it be?” This line hints at the fact that while gifts may be a nice gesture, what the world truly needs is peace.


The rest of the song carries this theme, emphasizing the need for every child to be taught to care for their fellow man and give love to others. Bowie and Crosby both sing of their wishes for a world where “men of good will” can live in peace. The lyrics are hopeful yet realistic, acknowledging that peace may not come immediately, but it is a goal worth striving for.


Line by Line Meaning

Come they told me
I received a message from others


Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
The sound of my drum as I journeyed


A new born king to see
To witness the birth of a new king


Our finest gifts we bring
We come bearing our most precious gifts


Rum-pum-pum-pum
My drum continues to beat


Peace on earth, can it be
Is it possible to have peace on Earth?


Years from now, perhaps we'll see
Maybe in the future it will be realized


See the day of glory
Experience a time of triumph and honor


See the day when men of good will
Witness the day when those with good intentions


Live in peace, live in peace again
Live together without conflict


Every child must be made aware
It is important to inform every child


Every child must be made to care
Every child must be taught to care


Care enough for his fellow man
Have enough concern for other people


To give all the love that he can
To show as much love as possible


I pray my wish will come true
I hope that my wish will come true


For my child and your child too
For the sake of our own children


He'll see the day of glory
They will witness a time of triumph and honor


See the day when men of good will
Witness the day when those with good intentions


Live in peace, live in peace again
Live together without conflict


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
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@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! 🙏🏻🎄☃️



All comments from YouTube:

@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

9 More Replies...

@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.

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