Little Drummer Boys
Brooks Lyrics
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Our newborn 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
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 our 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
Brooks's song Little Drummer Boys is a retelling of the story of the birth of Jesus and the visit of the three wise men, or Magi, who brought gifts to honor the newborn king. The song begins with the singer being told by someone to come and see the baby Jesus, and to bring his finest gifts to lay before him. The singer feels inadequate because he has no gifts that are worthy of the king. Instead, he offers to play his drum, hoping it will please the baby Jesus. Mary gives her approval, and as the singer begins to play, the animals in the stable join in, keeping time with his music.
The lyrics of this song carry a message of humility and the importance of giving what one can, however small, to honor and celebrate the birth of Jesus. The little drummer boy represents the idea that everyone, regardless of their status or the size of their gift, can still offer something of value to honor the newborn king.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
Someone told me to come and see the newborn King
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
We are going to see the newly born King
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We are bringing our best gifts to offer the King
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To present the gifts to the King as a mark of respect
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
Drum beats that accompany the singing
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
As a way of showing respect to the King
When we come
Referring to the act of visiting the newborn King
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
Referring to the newborn King as a young baby
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also a poor boy with nothing to offer
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I do not have any gift that is fitting for the King
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That is appropriate to offer to the King
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Offering to play the drum as his gift to the King
on my drum?
Asking if it's okay to play his drum as a means of honor for the King
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary gave approval to the poor boy to play his drum for the King
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals nearby followed the beat of the drum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
The poor boy played his drum as a form of worship for the King
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Giving his all in playing the drum for the King
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King smiled in appreciation for the poor boy's gift
Me and my drum
The poor boy and his drum - a symbol of humility and sincerity
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Onorati, Katherine K. Davis, Harry Simeone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind