little drummer boy
Canadian Brass Lyrics


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Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
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
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 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

Overall Meaning

The song "Little Drummer Boy" by Canadian Brass, tells the story of a young boy who comes to see the newborn king. The first verse depicts the boy being told to come and see the king, and he and his companions bring their finest gifts to lay before the king. The second verse reveals that the boy himself is poor and cannot afford any such gifts. He offers instead to play his drum for the baby Jesus. Mary agrees, and the animals in the stable keep time as the boy plays his drum. He plays as well as he can for the baby Jesus, who smiles approvingly upon him.


The song stands out for its simple yet heartfelt message. It emphasizes the idea that we do not need riches or fine things to offer worth. Rather, it is the intention and the sincerity behind a gift that matters most. The story speaks of humility, innocence, and unconditional love. The young boy, though poor, has something to offer that is invaluable, the gift of his music making an offering to the King of Kings.


Line by Line Meaning

Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
I was invited to see the newborn King


Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
We were told to come see the newborn King


Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We have brought our best gifts to present to the King


To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
We aim to lay the gifts for the King as a sign of our respect


Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
Drum beats


So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
We will play drums to pay respect to the King


When we come
We will do this when we arrive


Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The newborn King is just a little baby


I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also a poor person, without much to give


I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I don't have anything to offer the King as a gift


That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Nothing I have is good enough to give to the King


Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Can I play my drum for you, King?


on my drum?
I will play on my drum


Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary agreed with me


The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The sounds of the animals helped me keep the rhythm


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


I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I gave my best effort when playing for the King


Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King smiled at me


Me and my drum
Just me and my drum, giving everything we have to pay respect to the King




Lyrics © INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Angie Allen

So good I have played it three times now! Beautiful!

Christine Lewis

Absolutely fabulous! Well done. Just love it!!

JjinMiSang

Lovely 😍

Aliasgar Virdiwala

Sir/Madam where can I get to learn these type of composition & arrangements? Any courses you suggest?Or do you teach? Any music college? Or Something?

Les Dawson

After the horrid results iof the election I need something to hear. As usual, the Canadian Brass is it. Ahhhh

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