THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
David Bowie / Bing Crosby 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
The lyrics to "Little Drummer Boy" by David Bowie and Bing Crosby focus on the journey of the three wise men or magi to see the newborn baby Jesus, and the little drummer boy who goes with them. The song is an ode to the spirit of Christmas, which suggests that even the poorest of individuals can bring a gift to the king simply through their talents and abilities.
The opening line, "Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum," represents the announcement made by the angels to the shepherds in the fields, that the Messiah had been born. The lyrics then move on to the magi making their pilgrimage to Bethlehem to present their gifts to the newborn king, while the little drummer boy expresses his desire to offer something, despite not having any material possessions to give. Mary nods in approval, and the song ends with the drummer boy feeling a sense of accomplishment after playing his best for the infant Jesus.
The song's message is about giving the best we can, not necessarily the most expensive gift. It emphasizes that everyone, no matter how impoverished, has something to give, even if it's only the gift of themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They asked me to come, making a drum-like sound
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To see the new King that has just been born, making a drum-like sound
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We bring our best gifts with us, making a drum-like sound
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay these gifts before the King, making a drum-like sound
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
Making a continued drum-like sound
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
We do this as a way of honoring the King, making a drum-like sound
When we come
When we arrive to see the King, making a drum-like sound
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The new King is just a little baby, making a drum-like sound
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also poor, making a drum-like sound
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I have nothing to give as a gift, making a drum-like sound
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That is appropriate to give to the King, making a drum-like sound
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Making a continued drum-like sound
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Can I play my drum for you, making a drum-like sound
on my drum?
Asking if he can play his drum
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary gave her approval, making a drum-like sound
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept the rhythm of the drum, making a drum-like sound
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
He played his drum for the King, making a drum-like sound
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
He played his best for the King, making a drum-like sound
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Making a continued drum-like sound
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King smiled at him, making a drum-like sound
Me and my drum
Together with his drum, making a drum-like sound
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