Sparked by his childhood passion for the Metropolitan Opera, Simeone sought a career as a concert pianist and eventually attended the Juilliard School of Music for three years before leaving to take work at CBS as an arranger for bandleader Fred Waring.
The Little Drummer Boy
Harry Simeone Chorale 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 (pa -rum pum pum pum)
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
The song "Little Drummer Boy" is a Christmas carol that tells the story of a young boy who visits the newborn Jesus in his manger. The boy expresses his desire to honor the King of Kings, but being a poor boy, he has nothing to offer except his talent for playing the drum. He asks Mary for permission to play for the baby, and she nods approvingly. The boy then plays his drum for both Jesus and the animals in the manger, giving his best in tribute to the Lord. The newborn Jesus smiles at him, recognizing that the boy played his drum with the purest intention of worship.
The song is an ode to the humble and selfless nature of true devotion. The lyrics emphasize that one does not need material possessions to honor God, as one's talent, time, and heart are more than enough. The boy's drum symbolizes his soul, and the song implies that anyone can offer what little they have to God in the same spirit of reverence that the boy did with his drum. The song is a reminder that it's not about the value of the gift but the intention behind it, that truly delights God.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
I was informed by someone to come and see the King, with the indication of the sound of drums
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
We were invited to see the new King who has just been born
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We are carrying our best gifts to offer to the King
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
We will present our gifts to the King with utmost respect
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The sound of our drums complement the occasion
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
We play these drums to pay our respect to Him
When we come
We will arrive soon
Baby Gesu pa-rum pum pum pum
We will meet the newborn baby, Jesus
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also a deprived boy who doesn't have much to give
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I have nothing to offer as a present
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
I don't have anything appropriate to give to our King
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Can I play my drum for you instead?
On my drum?
Do you accept my offer?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary agreed to my proposal with a slight gesture of nodding
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals in the stable harmoniously accompanied my drumming
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum to entertain and pay respect to Him
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I did my best to make the performance grand for Him
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum (pa -rum pum pum pum)
The drum beats continued to complement the event
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
He acknowledged my tribute with a lovely smile
Me and my drum
We both contributed to the moment in our own unique ways
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Sentric Music, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind