peace on earth / little drummer boy
David Bowie / Bing Crosby Lyrics

Hello, you the new butler?
David Bowie greets the butler and asks if he is new.

Hahaha! Well, it's been a long time since I've been the new anything!
Bowie responds to the butler's silence with self-deprecating humor, implying that he is used to being forgotten or overlooked.

What's happened to Hudson?
Bowie inquires about Hudson and wonders why he is not around anymore.

I guess he's changing
The butler responds to Bowie's question with the vague answer that Hudson is changing, which could mean anything from moving to changing jobs to a personal transformation.

Yeah, he does that a lot doesn't he? Umm, oh, I'm David Bowie. I live down the road
Bowie notes that Hudson seems to change often and introduces himself as a neighbor from down the road.

Oh!
The butler finally recognizes who Bowie is and expresses surprise.

Sir Percival lets me use his piano when he's not around. He's not around, is he?
Bowie asks the butler if Sir Percival, another neighbor, is around since he often uses his piano.

I can honestly say I haven't seen him, but come on in! Come here! Come on in!
The butler invites Bowie inside despite not knowing where Sir Percival is.

Are you related to Sir Percival?
The butler inquires whether Bowie is related to Sir Percival since he is often seen around in their neighborhood.

Well, distantly, yeah
Bowie confirms that he is distantly related to Sir Percival.

Oh, you're not the, uh, poor relation from America, right?
The butler mistakenly assumes that Bowie is the poor relation from America and asks him if he is.

Ha! Gee, news sure travels fast, doesn't it? I'm Bing
Bowie laughs off the butler's suggestion, and reveals his true identity as Bing Crosby.

Oh, I'm pleased to meet you. You're the one that sings, right?
The butler greets Bing and confirms that he is the one who sings.

Well, right or wrong, I sing either way
Bing humbly admits that his singing might not be perfect but he does it anyway.

Oh well, I sing too
The butler reveals that he too sings, perhaps to start a conversation or bond over similar interests with Bing.

Oh good! What kind of singing?
Bing is interested in learning what kind of singing the butler does.

Well, mostly the contemporary stuff. Do you, uh, do you like modern music?
The butler responds, saying that he likes to sing contemporary music and asks if Bing likes modern music too.

Oh, I think it's marvelous! Some of it really fine But tell me, have you ever listened to any of the older fellas?
Bing praises modern music but asks the butler if he has ever listened to older singers.

Oh, yeah, sure. I like ah, John Lennon and the other one with, eh, Harry Nilsson
The butler reveals that he enjoys singers like John Lennon and Harry Nilsson.

Mmm, you go back that far, huh?
Bing is pleasantly surprised that the butler appreciates older singers and reveals his own age.

Yeah, I'm not as young as I look Haha! None of us is these days
The butler admits that he is not as young as he looks, and Bing agrees, saying that no one seems to be these days.

In fact, I've got a six year old son And he really gets excited around the Christmas holiday-thing
Bing shares that he has a six-year-old son who loves Christmas and the holiday season.

Do you go in for any of the traditional things in the Bowie household, Christmas time?
Bing asks the butler if he celebrates Christmas and if he does any traditional things at home.

Oh, yeah, most of them really. Presents, tree, decorations, agents sliding down the chimney
The butler confirms that his family does celebrate Christmas and lists some of the traditions, including presents, a decorated tree, and agents sliding down the chimney (which is likely a joke).

What?
Bing is confused by the butler's last statement about agents sliding down the chimney and asks for clarification.

I was just seeing if you were paying attention Haha!
The butler reveals that he was joking about agents sliding down the chimney and laughs at Bing's confusion.

Actually our family does most of the things other families do. We sing the same songs
The butler explains that his family celebrates Christmas like many other families and sings the same songs.

Do you?
Bing asks if the butler sings the same songs as him.

I even have a go at 'White Christmas' You too, huh?
The butler reveals that he has tried to sing 'White Christmas' and Bing is pleased to hear it.

And this one. This is my son's favorite. Do you know this one?
Bing asks the butler if he knows his son's favorite Christmas song.

Oh, I do indeed, it's a lovely thing
The butler confirms that he knows the song that Bing is referring to and praises it.

Come they told me pa-rum-pum-pum-pum 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
Bing and Bowie start singing the Christmas carol 'Little Drummer Boy' together.

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) Peace on Earth (so to honor him pa-rum-pum-pum-pum) Can it be (when we come)
During the song, they insert lyrics to address the message of Christmas: peace on earth and goodwill towards men.

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
Bing and Bowie sing about the importance of teaching children to care for one another and love their fellow man.

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)
Bing and Bowie continue to sing about their hopes for a future where children can live in peace and harmony, and echo the message of the Christmas season through the lyrics of 'Little Drummer Boy.'

Can it be
The song ends with the repeating line 'can it be,' which leaves the message of hope and peace open-ended and aspirational.

It's a pretty thing, isn't it? I'm sure glad you came by to work out on the piano today
After the song finishes, Bing thanks Bowie for stopping by to play the piano together and they both appreciate the beauty and spirit of the Christmas song they sang.