David Cullen is a Grammy award winner for "best pop instrumental recording". He has performed with Will Ackerman, Samite, Michael Manring, Victor Wooten, The Jaco Big Band and with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. David Cullen earned his Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance from the Hartt School of Music.
David Cullen is currently an Artist-in-Residence at Elizabethtown College and teaches Jazz and Classical Guitar at Kutztown University. David is featured on the Windham Hill Guitar Sampler and other Windham Hill Compilation CDs. He has released 2 books through Warner Brothers Publications; "Jazz, Classical and Beyond" as well as "Grateful Guitar". His performance DVD, "Jazz, Classical and Beyond" features multi-camera angles and lessons.
He has performed throughout North America for Classical Guitar Societies, Jazz Festivals, and Performing Arts Series. He has released 9 CDs for the acoustic guitar label Solid Air Records. David Cullen’s recordings have been featured on NPR stations across America.
Drummer Boy
David Cullen 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
The lyrics to David Cullen's "Drummer Boy" depict the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and the visitation by the wise men who pay their respect to the newborn king by bringing gifts. The singer of the story is a poor boy who also wishes to offer a present to Jesus but does not have any wealth to purchase a gift. Therefore, he decides to play his drum for the baby. Mary nods in agreement to his performance, and the ox and lamb seem to be enjoying the rhythm as well. The boy plays his best and receives a smile from Jesus in appreciation for his humble yet heartfelt act.
The lyrics of the song have different interpretations depending on one's personal beliefs. Some claim that the song is about offering oneself fully to Jesus in worship and adoration. The boy, who has nothing but his drum and himself, dedicates himself to the baby wholeheartedly by playing his drum in the best possible way. This representation can be viewed as a metaphor for spiritually surrendering oneself to faith entirely. Additionally, some believe that the song suggests that all one requires to present oneself in front of the Lord is a pure heart with no materialistic intentions, even if they are not rich with financial means.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
Someone informed the singer to come to see the newborn King.
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
We're going to see our newborn King.
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We bring our best gifts to offer to the King.
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
We want to offer our gifts before the King.
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
Instrument playing sound.
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
We do this to honor the King.
When we come
When we arrive to see the King.
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The newborn King is a little baby.
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
The singer is also poor and doesn't have any expensive gifts to offer.
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
The singer doesn't have any gift to offer.
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
The singer doesn't have anything suitable to offer to the King.
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Instrument playing sound.
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum on my drum?
Can I play my drum for the King?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary agreed to let the singer play the drum for the King.
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The singer played the drum while the Ox and Lamb kept the beat.
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
The singer played the drum for the King.
I played my best for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
The singer played the drum as best as he could for the King.
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Instrument playing sound.
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King was happy and smiled at the singer.
Me and my drum
The singer and his drum were content and happy.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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