They reunited in 1995 to record their first album together in 15 years, One, and went on tour around the world to promote it. Sadly it proved to be Tammy Wynette's last studio album before her death in 1998.
Joy To The World
George Jones & Tammy Wynette 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, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
To lay before the kind, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
Little baby, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I am a poor girl too, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I have no gifts to bring, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Pum-pum-pum, pum-pum-pum-pum, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum-pum-pum
Shall I play for you pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
Mary nodded, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
The ox and the lamb kept time, little drummer boy
I played my drums for him, ba-dum-pum-pum
I played my best for him, ba-dum-pum-pum
Then he smiled at me, ba-dum-pum-pum
Little drummer boy smiled at me, ba-dum-pum-pum
Our finest gifts we bring, ba-dum-pum-pum
L-l-laying before our king, ba-dum-pum-pum
(Brrra-da-duh-num, pum-pum, brrra-da-duh-num
Duh-nuh-dum-dum, duh-duh-duh-dum, da-dum-dum-dum, dum
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
To lay before the king, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Hey little drummer boy
Oh little drummer boy, brra-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-dah
I am a poor girl too, what shall I play for you, brra-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-dah
I have no gift to bring, that's fit to give the king, brra-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-dah
(Rum-pum) Rum-pum-pum-pum, (Pum-pum) Rum-pum-pum-pum
When we come, on my drum, me and my drum
Come they told me, a newborn king to see
(Little drummer boy), we bringin' our finest gifts to lay before the king
Rum-rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-rum-pum-pum-pum, oh
Rum-pum-pum-pum, fum-pum-pum-pum
Rum-pum-pum-pum, oh, fa-fa-fa-fa
The lyrics of the popular Christmas song “Little Drummer Boy” is about a young boy who plays his drum for the newborn Jesus Christ. The first few lines set the scene for the encounter as the boy is informed of the birth of a new king and is invited to visit him. Despite being poor and having nothing to offer, the boy decides to bring his drum to play for Jesus. The repetition of the “pa-rum-pum-pum-pum” and “rum-pum-pum-pum” adds a musical quality to the entire song and sets the rhythm for the boy's drumming. Mary, Jesus’ mother, nods in approval as the boy plays his drum, and even the animals, depicted by the ox and lamb, keep time with the drummer boy. In the end, the boy smiles as the newborn king acknowledges his gift.
Overall, the song reflects the idea of using talents and gifts to honor God, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. The song highlights the importance of humility and gratitude, and the power of music as a means of worship.
Line by Line Meaning
Come they told me, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I was informed to come and see the newborn king
Our newborn king to see, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
To catch a glimpse of our newly born king
Our finest gifts we bring, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
We are bringing our best gifts for the king
To lay before the king, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
To present our offerings before the king
Little baby, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
A baby, small and tender
I am a poor girl too, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I, too, am of humble means
I have no gifts to bring, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
I do not have any presents to give
That's fit to give the king, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Nothing suitable for the king's stature
Pum-pum-pum, pum-pum-pum-pum, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum-pum-pum
The sound of my drum, beating steadily
Shall I play for you pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-pum-pum-pum
May I offer you the sound of my drum
Mary nodded, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
Mary acknowledged my offer
The ox and the lamb kept time, little drummer boy
Even the animals moved to the beat of my drum
I played my drums for him, ba-dum-pum-pum
I performed a drum solo for him
I played my best for him, ba-dum-pum-pum
I put all my effort into my performance
Then he smiled at me, ba-dum-pum-pum
He responded to my performance with a smile
Little drummer boy smiled at me, ba-dum-pum-pum
I received a smile from the little drummer boy
Our finest gifts we bring, ba-dum-pum-pum
We are offering our best gifts
L-l-laying before our king, ba-dum-pum-pum
Placing them before our king
(Brrra-da-duh-num, pum-pum, brrra-da-duh-num
Duh-nuh-dum-dum, duh-duh-duh-dum, da-dum-dum-dum, dum
The sound of drums, loud and rhythmic
Hey little drummer boy
Addressing the little drummer boy
Oh little drummer boy, brra-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-dah
You, the young boy with the drums
I am a poor girl too, what shall I play for you, brra-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-dah
I can relate to you, may I offer you something in return
I have no gift to bring, that's fit to give the king, brra-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-dah
I, too, don't have any fitting gifts for the king
(Rum-pum) Rum-pum-pum-pum, (Pum-pum) Rum-pum-pum-pum
The melody of the drums, repeating
When we come, on my drum, me and my drum
I will accompany my song with my drum
Come they told me, a newborn king to see
We were informed of the king's birth and invited to see him
(Little drummer boy), we bringin' our finest gifts to lay before the king
We, the little drummer boy and I, are offering our best presents to the king
Rum-rum-pum-pum-pum, rum-rum-pum-pum-pum, oh
The drums resound loudly, filling the air with rhythm and vibration
Rum-pum-pum-pum, fum-pum-pum-pum
The drums continue to beat, creating a sense of awe and wonder
Rum-pum-pum-pum, oh, fa-fa-fa-fa
The drums still going strong, accompanied by singing and joyful shouting
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DP, Katherine Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind