The Little Drummer Boy
H. Onorati Lyrics
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A new-born King to see (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
Our finest gifts we bring (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
To lay before the King (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
Rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
So to honor Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
When we come
I am a poor boy, too (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I have no gift to bring (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
That's fit to give a King (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
Rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
Shall I play for you (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
On my drum?
Mary nodded (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
The ox and lamb kept time (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I played my drum for Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I played my best for Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
Rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
Then, He smiled at me (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
Me and my drum
Transcribed by Little John
These lyrics were transcribed from the specific recording referenced
Above, and are for personal use and research interest only.
"The Little Drummer Boy" is a song that tells the story of a young boy who joins the wise men on their journey to visit the newborn King. The boy, who is poor and has no gifts to bring, asks if he can play his drum for the baby Jesus as a way to show his respect and love. The mother Mary, pleased with the idea, nods her head in approval. As the boy plays his drum, the animals in the stable dance and keep time with the music, and the baby Jesus himself smiles at the boy, knowing that the gift of music is just as valuable as any material item.
The lyrics of this song highlight the simplicity and purity of the gift that the little drummer boy brings to the newborn King. The boy doesn't let his lack of riches deter him from showing his love and respect. Instead, he uses his talent and gives what he can, which is his music. This message is a powerful one, as it reminds us that we don't need material possessions to have value or to show our love for others.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I was invited to come see the newborn King
A new-born King to see (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I was invited to see the new King who just arrived
Our finest gifts we bring (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
We bring the best presents we have to offer
To lay before the King (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
We will lay the gifts before the King as a sign of our respect
(Rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
The drum rhythm continues
So to honor Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
Our gifts are given to honor the King's arrival
When we come
We will arrive soon
Baby Gesu (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
The baby's name is Gesu
I am a poor boy, too (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I am also poor and have little to give
I have no gift to bring (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I have nothing to offer the King
That's fit to give a King (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
I don't have anything worthy of giving to a King
(Rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
The drum rhythm continues
Shall I play for you (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
May I offer a song as a gift?
On my drum?
Shall I play on my drum?
Mary nodded (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
Mary agreed with a nod
The ox and lamb kept time (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
The animals also joined in time with the drum
I played my drum for Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
I offered my song as a gift for the King
I played my best for Him (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum
I gave my best effort in my song for the King
(Rum-pa-pa-pum, rum-pa-pa-pum)
The drum rhythm continues
Then, He smiled at me (pa-rum-pa-pa-pum)
The King smiled in response to my gift
Me and my drum
I left with only my drum as my possession
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY SIMEONE, HENRY ONORATI, KATHERINE K DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind