My Sunday Song #71 is “Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy” sung by David Bowie & Bing Crosby.  Since tomorrow is Christmas, why not do a Christmas song and this is one of my favorites as I thought the combination of these two was weird and beautiful at the same time.  It covered two different generations as you had the newer generation for Bowie and the old fogeys (I was young when this came out) could enjoy Bing Crosby.

The song was recorded on September 11, 1977 for an Bing Crosby television special that was coming soon. From what I have read about the song, David didn’t really want to sing Little Drummer Boy as he didn’t like the song.  In a panic, the “Peace On Earth” part was written to appease Bowie and it was mixed in with the song.  Whatever the reason, the two pieces together are pure Christmas magic.  I found an article on the story behind the song by Gary Shannon.  (Click on his name to go read the article).

I am not going to ramble on about the song as I will let it speak for itself.  Plus, Christmas is tomorrow so go spend time with you friends and/or family.  Merry Christmas!!

“Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy”

Both: Come, they told me. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
A new-born king to see. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum,
Rum-pa-pum-pum, Rum-pa-pum-pum

Bowie: Peace on Earth. Can it be?
Bing: Come, they told me. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum.
Years from now, perhaps we’ll see.
(A newborn king to see. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum.)
See the day of glory
(Our finest gifts we bring. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum.)
See the day
(To lay before the king. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum. Rum-pa-pum-pum. Rum-pa-pum-pum.)
When men of goodwill
Live in peace, live in peace again.
(So, to honor him. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum. When we come.)
Peace on Earth. Can it be?

Both: Every child must be made aware.
Every child must be made to care.
Care enough for his fellowman
To give all the love that he can.

Bowie: I pray my wish will come true
Bing: Little baby, pa-rum-pa-pum-pum.
For my child and your child, too.
(I stood beside him there. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum.)
He’ll see the day of glory
(I played my drum for him. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum.)
See the day when men of goodwill
(I played my best for him. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum. Rum-pa-pum-pum. Rum-pa-pum-pum.)
Live in peace, live in peace again.

Peace on Earth. Can it be?
(Then, he smiled at me. Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum. Me and my drum.)

Both: Can it be?

Written By  Ian Fraser, Larry Grossman, Alan Kohan / Harry Simeone, K.K. Davis, Henry Onorati