The Little Drummer Boy
Bing Crosby Lyrics


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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

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)

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 (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)





Can it be

Overall Meaning

The Little Drummer Boy is a popular Christmas carol that tells the story of a young boy who is summoned by the Magi to play his drums for the newborn baby Jesus. The boy is poor and doesn't have any gifts to present to the baby, so he offers to play his drum as a tribute. The song is a beautiful ode to humility, simplicity, and how everyone has something to offer, whether rich or poor.


The first stanza begins with the call to action: "Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum, our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum." The boy is excited to see the baby Jesus and to honor him. In the second stanza, the boy realizes he doesn't have anything to bring as a gift, but suggests that he could play his drum as a tribute. Mary nods in agreement, and the animals in the stable keep time with the boy's drumming.


The final stanza is the most poignant and emotional: "I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum; I played my best for Him pa-rum pum pum pum. Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum, me and my drum." The young boy realizes that the greatest gift he can offer is himself, his talents, and his heart. This song is a beautiful reminder that everyone has something to offer, and that the simplest of gifts can be the most meaningful.


Line by Line Meaning

Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They invited me with a drumbeat


Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To see the newly born King


Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We bring our best gifts


To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To present them before the King


Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Drumming sound


So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
To pay tribute to Him


When we come
As we arrive


Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
Small infant with a drumbeat


I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also a poor boy


I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gifts worthy of offering


That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Suitable to be presented to our King


Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
May I offer my drumming skills to you?


on my drum?
Playing the drum


Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary agreed with a nod


The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb joined in the rhythm


I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for the infant


I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I played the best I could


Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The sound of drumming


Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Then the infant smiled at me


Me and my drum
Me with my drum




Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, PHRASER MORTON MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alan W Kohan, Ian Fraser, Lawrence A Grossman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@brentanoschool

"Йди!", казали... па-рам пам пам пам
Царя побачиш ти... па-рам пам пам пам
Найкращі тут дари... па-рам пам пам пам
Царю несемо ми... па-рам пам пам пам
Рам пам пам пам. Рам пам пам пам
Так вшануємо... па-рам пам пам пам
Як будемо там...

Хлопчик, малий... па-рам пам пам пам
Я дуже бідний є... па-рам пам пам пам
Не маю я дарів... па-рам пам пам пам
Що личать до царів... па-рам пам пам пам
Рам пам пам пам. Рам пам пам пам
Най заграє... па-рам пам пам пам
Мій барабан...

Згодилась Марія... па-рам пам пам пам
Худоба змовкла вмить... па-рам пам пам пам
Забив я в барабан... па-рам пам пам пам
Старанно Йому грав... па-рам пам пам пам
Рам пам пам пам. Рам пам пам пам
То ж Він посміхнувся... па-рам пам пам пам
Обом нам...



All comments from YouTube:

@CB0T

Musica Fantástica! Feliz Natal! Merry Christmas!

@JukeboxBalowski

Glad to see Bing finally dropped the music video for this! Been waiting 60 years for it!

@socal3154

Love how most of these old, classic Christmas songs are getting their own animated music videos.

@darleneplymale9533

Beautiful. I just purchased a musical toy and was looking for the lyrics. This is beautiful.

@leodahvee6974

Awesome! Another animated version of Christmas classics!

@Johnnyblaze8219

All of these new animated videos are Dope. Keep them coming. Halloween isnt even here yet but Im feelin the christmas vibes.

@EdAlbert

What a voice!!!!!

@HM2SGT

These were really a treat last year. Clever, well-made. Thoroughly enjoyable. Looking forward to this year‘s offerings.
🎵B-B-Buuu…🎶

@corey-bird3489

For like 3 years now I’ve been making festive videos about my house and realized this ought to be the year I share Bing Crosby.

@wilfriedfriedrich3730

Fabulous song and a great singer 🙏😍❤️

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