"Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" (sometimes titled "The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth") is a Christmas song with an added counterpoint performed by David Bowie and Bing Crosby. "Little Drummer Boy" is a Christmas song written in 1957, while the "Peace on Earth" tune and lyrics were added to the song especially for Bowie and Crosby's recording. The track was recorded live on September 11,1977 for Crosby's then-upcoming television special, Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas. The pair exchanged dialogue about what they do for Christmas before singing "Little Drummer Boy" with a new counterpoint with original lyrics written for the special, "Peace on Earth." Bowie's appearance has been described as a "surreal" event, undertaken at a time that he was "actively trying to normalise his career." Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby, Jr. (May 3, 1903 -- October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation. David Robert Jones, known by his stage name David Bowie (January 8, 1947 -- January 10, 2016) was an English musician, singer-songwriter, producer, actor and arranger. Bowie has been a major figure in the world of popular music for over four decades, and is renowned as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s. He is known for his distinctive voice as well as the intellectual depth and eclecticism of his work. Come, they told me pa-ram-pam-pam-pam A new-born king to see pa-ram-pam-pam-pam Our finest gifts we bring pa-ram-pam-pam-pam Ra-pam-pam-pam, ra-pam-pam-pam 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