Little Drummer Boy
Christmas Hits Lyrics

The Little Drummer Boy is a Christmas carol composed in 1941 by Katherine Kennicott Davis. As we delve into the meaning of the lyrics of this song, it's essential to understand that it's a narrative of a poor boy who has attended the birth of Jesus but is unable to offer material gifts to the child. The lyrics convey not only his dismay at not having anything to give but also his overwhelming joy in being in the presence of Jesus. The Carol starts with the boy being told of the birth of Jesus, a new king, and he is asked to come and see the baby. The boy, being poor, has nothing substantial to offer the baby, leading him to express his regret at not having anything to present before Jesus.

The boy then makes an offer to play his drum for Jesus to honor him, and to his delight, Mary nods in approval. As he plays his drum, the ox and lamb keep time to the beat of his drum, and Jesus smiles at him, and he's grateful for this experience. The central message in Little Drummer Boy is not the value of the material possessions one may offer but the simple act of offering what one has. The song inspires listeners to offer a part of themselves, no matter how humble or insignificant, and to do so with gratitude and love.