Wilson's repertoire includes both jazz and blues standards and renditions of pop and rock songs. Her contralto voice has been described as bluesy and sultry, and the style of her music ranges from swing to funk to bossa nova. Many of the songs she covers are by artists who usually record in other genres.
Wilson counts the late Miles Davis as one of her greatest influences. In 1989 she performed as the opening act for Davis at the JVC Jazz Festival in Chicago. In 1999 she produced Traveling Miles as a tribute to Davis. The album developed from a series of jazz concerts that she performed at Lincoln Center in November 1997 in Davis's honor and includes three selections based on Davis's own compositions, in which Wilson adapted the original themes.
A Brief Discography
Point of View (1986, JMT)
Days Aweigh (1987, JMT)
Blue Skies (1988, JMT)
Jumpworld (1989, JMT)
She Who Weeps (1990, JMT)
Live (1991, JMT)
After the Beginning Again (1992, JMT)
Dance to the Drums Again (1992, DIW/Columbia)
Blue Light 'til Dawn (1993, Blue Note)
New Moon Daughter (1995, Blue Note)
Rendezvous (with Jacky Terrasson) (1998, Blue Note)
Traveling Miles (1999, Blue Note)
Belly of the Sun (2002, Blue Note)
Glamoured (2003, Blue Note)
Thunderbird (2006, Blue Note)
Loverly (2008, Blue Note)
Silver Pony (2010, Blue Note)
Another Country (2012, eOne)
Official website: www.cassandrawilson.com
The Little Drummer Boy
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Cassandra Wilson's rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy" is a beautiful interpretation of the classic Christmas carol. The lyrics describe a poor boy who accompanies the wise men on their journey to see the newborn King. He brings no gifts, but offers to play his drum for the baby Jesus as a testament of his devotion. Mary nods her approval, and the boy plays his best for the King. The Ox and Lamb keep time as he drums, and in the end, Jesus smiles at him, acknowledging his humble offering.
The song is a stirring reminder that the most meaningful gifts we can give to our loved ones, and to one another, are the ones we have within ourselves. We don't need wealth or possessions to honor those we care about; we can give the most profound gifts by simply opening our hearts and sharing our talents with those around us.
Overall, this rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy" is a poignant reminder of the true spirit of Christmas and a joyful tribute to the power of faith, music, and giving.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They informed me to come with a rhythmic beat
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
We've come to see the King who was recently born
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We bring the best of what we have to offer
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
We will present these gifts in front of the King
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The sound of our drums beats a rhythmic pattern
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
We play the drums as a mark of respect to honor the King
When we come
When we arrive at our destination
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The baby King we have come to see
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also a boy from a humble background
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I do not have any present that is worthy of the King
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That's appropriate to give to our King
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum on my drum?
May I play my drum to entertain you?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary gave a nod of approval
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals joined in the rhythm and kept the beat
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played the drum for the King
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I played to the best of my ability for the King
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The rhythmic beat of the drum goes on and on
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King smiled at me in appreciation
Me and my drum
I and my drum are united in bringing happiness to the King
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind