Little Drummer Boy
August Burns Red (Holiday) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum
When we come
Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum?
Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
The song "Little Drummer Boy" is about a young boy who visits the newborn king and brings the only gift he has- the gift of music. The song describes how the boy is informed that there is a new baby king and how he quickly goes to see him with the other people who have brought extraordinary gifts. The boy is a poor child and cannot afford the same lavish presents as the others, so he decides to play his drum for the king. The king, delighted by the boy's gesture, smiles at him and his drum, showing appreciation for the simplicity of his gift.
The song has a message that applies to everyone - it's not the size of the gift that matters but the thought behind it. This song tells the story of the boy who is not only humble but compassionate, and his gift of music is a selfless offering that symbolizes his love and respect for the new king. We see how the love for the new king drives this child to put all his effort into playing his drum and win over the heart of the new king. The ox and lamb also play a significant role as they join in the percussion, keeping time for the boy's drum. The message of unity and coming together in the presence of the king is evident throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
They told me to come with them, making a rhythmic sound like drum beats (pa rum pum pum pum)
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
They told me that a new King has been born whom I have to visit, and the rhythmic drum sounds (pa rum pum pum pum) continue
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
We bring our best gifts with us, making the sound of drum beats (pa rum pum pum pum)
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum
We will lay our gifts in front of the King while continuing the rhythmic drumming sounds (pa rum pum pum pum)
So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum
We want to honor the new King by performing our best, drumming with rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum)
When we come
We will arrive shortly
Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
We are addressing the newborn King as a little baby while continuing the rhythmic drumming sounds (pa rum pum pum pum)
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I am also a poor boy and have nothing valuable to offer, but I will continue to play the drum with rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum)
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
I don't have anything to offer except my drumming with rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum)
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum
Nothing I have is suitable to give to the King, except my drumming with rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum)
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum
I'm offering the King to play my drum with rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum)
On my drum?
I'm asking the King if I can play my drum with rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum)
Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
Mary agreed and nodded at me while I continued drumming with rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum)
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
The animals (ox and lamb) were listening to my drumming with rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum) and keeping pace in time
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum with rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum) for the King
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played the drum with the best of my abilities, producing rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum) for the King
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
The King smiled at me, acknowledging and appreciating my drumming with rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum)
Me and my drum
I and my drum, producing rhythmic sounds (pa rum pum pum pum), earned the King's appreciation
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Onorati, Katherine K. Davis, Harry Simeone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fernandinho5266
I'm listening to this album again for this Christmas 🤘
@volcomjesusfreak
Same!
@kennysimmonds5620
And again it is time to hear
this song. Merry christmas folks.
@falseterror8144
Merry Christmas! Have a safe and blessed day!
@motocyco1331
This is by far the best holiday song recorded by the one and only August Burns Red. You guy's rock, please come back to Orlando for Warp!
@mattcavallo4086
Jeremy H messengers 10th ann'y tour jan thru feb get ready
@onwardthruchaos
It's not even close to Christmas, and I need this in my life. #2021
@onwardthruchaos
Aged well. Merry Christmas my peeps
@metalmaniacx79
Facts!
@froi09
The whole album is a gift ❤️