Erich Kunzel (also known as Erich Kunzel Jr.) (March 21, 1935, New York Cit… Read Full Bio ↴Erich Kunzel (also known as Erich Kunzel Jr.) (March 21, 1935, New York City - September 1, 2009). American conductor. A talented timpanist and music arranger at his high school in Greenwich, Connecticut, he received his first music degree from Dartmouth College. He also studied at Harvard and Brown University. From 1960 to 1965 he conducted the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. From 1965 to 1977 he was principle conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. His popular recordings of classical music on the Telarc label have mostly been made as director of Cincinnati Pops Orchestra since 1977.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra board of trustees created The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra in 1977. Since then Erich Kunzel's efforts have made the "Pops" into an internationally known ensemble with half a dozen best-selling recordings a year and almost weekly subscription concerts.

http://erichkunzel.com/

Little Drummer Boy
Erich Kunzel 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 lyrics to "Little Drummer Boy" tell the story of a poor boy who has no gift to bring to the newborn King. However, he offers to play his drum for Him as a way to honor the King. Mary nods in agreement and the Ox and Lamb keep time as the boy plays his drum. As he plays, he puts all of his effort into his performance, wanting to give his best to the King. At the end of the song, the baby Jesus smiles at the boy, acknowledging his gift.

The lyrics are a touching reminder that it is not the gift that matters, but the thought behind it. The little drummer boy did not have a material gift to offer, but his willingness to use what he did have was all that mattered. He played his drum, an instrument that may not seem like much, but with his gift of music, he was able to honor the King.

"Little Drummer Boy" is a popular Christmas song that has been covered by many artists. It is thought to have originated in the 1940s but became widely known after it was recorded by the Trapp Family Singers in 1951. The song has since been covered by artists such as Bing Crosby, Johnny Cash, and Pentatonix. The song's theme of giving what you can, no matter how small, has resonated with audiences for decades.

Line by Line Meaning

Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They summoned me with the sound of the drum beat 'pa-rum pum pum pum'

Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness the arrival of our new king, we have come with the hum of the drum

Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We have brought the most exquisite presents, the drum sound 'pa-rum pum pum pum' accompanying us

To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
These offerings shall be dedicated and presented to the king, along with the drum beat 'pa-rum pum pum pum'

Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The sound of the beat, 'rum pum pum pum', echoes in the air

So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
In order to express our respect and admiration, we shall continue to play the drum beat 'pa-rum pum pum pum'

When we come
Every time we arrive in the presence of the king, we shall play this specific drum beat

Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The infant king to whom we offer our tribute, with the accompanying sound of the drum 'pa-rum pum pum pum'

I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I, like the infant king, am a humble and impoverished boy, and the drum beat 'pa-rum pum pum pum' is the only gift I can offer

I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I have nothing valuable to offer except the drum beat 'pa-rum pum pum pum'

That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
The only present suitable for our king is the authentic sound of the drum 'pa-rum pum pum pum'

Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The drum's rhythmic cadence 'rum pum pum pum' never fades away

Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum on my drum?
May I offer the unique drum beat 'pa-rum pum pum pum' as my gift to you?

Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary gave a sign of approval by nodding her head in response to the drum beat 'pa-rum pum pum pum'

The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb joined in and followed the rhythm of the drum beat 'pa-rum pum pum pum'

I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I celebrated His presence and majesty with the drum beat 'pa-rum pum pum pum'

I played my best for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
The drum beat 'pa-rum pum pum pum' was played with the utmost respect and admiration for Him

Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The drum beat 'rum pum pum pum' is repeated, signifying an ongoing tribute to the king

Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King expressed His pleasure and appreciation with a smile in response to the drum beat 'pa-rum pum pum pum'

Me and my drum
Together, the king and I celebrated His arrival and presence with the sound of the drum 'pa-rum pum pum pum'

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine Davis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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