The Little Drummer Boy
Jackson 5 (Holiday) 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
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 (pa-rum pum pum pum)
When we come (when we come)
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I have no gift to bring, pa-rum pum pum pum (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 (pa-rum pum pum pum)
On my drum? (on my drum?)
Mary nodded, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
Ox and mule kept time, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I played my drum for Him, pa-rum pum pum pum (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 (pa-rum pum pum pum)
Me and my drum (me and my drum)
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum (rum pum pum pum)
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum (rum pum pum pum)
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum (rum pum pum pum)
"The Little Drummer Boy" is a popular Christmas song about a poor boy who comes to visit the newborn King with no gifts except his drum to play. The lyrics talk about how others who come to see the newborn King bring valuable gifts like gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but the drummer boy does not have anything "fit to give our King." However, he offers to play his drum for Baby Jesus, a gift that is not materialistic but comes straight from his love for the child. Mary nods approvingly, and even the animals in the stable keep time with the drummer boy's playing. Afterward, Baby Jesus smiles at the drummer boy, and he leaves feeling that he has given his best gift.
The song encourages the idea that one can give something meaningful without having material possessions or wealth. The drummer boy gives his gift of music to the newborn King and is rewarded with a smile of appreciation. The song's gentle tune and lyrics convey a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and the joy of the Christmas season.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me, pa-rum pum pum pum
I was summoned to come with the sound of drums.
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To see the newly born King we have come.
Our finest gifts we bring, pa-rum pum pum pum
We bring the best of our gifts.
To lay before the King, pa-rum pum pum pum
We present them to the King.
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The sound of the drums.
So to honor Him, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
To pay tribute to Him.
When we come (when we come)
As we arrive.
Baby Jesus, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
Newborn Jesus, I greet you with the sound of drums.
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I am poor and unable to bring rich gifts.
I have no gift to bring, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I don't have anything tangible to bring.
That's fit to give our King, pa-rum pum pum pum
That would be appropriate for our King.
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
May I play my drums for you?
On my drum? (on my drum?)
Using my drum for the music.
Mary nodded, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
Mary agreed with a nod.
Ox and mule kept time, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
The ox and mule produced a rhythm with their movements.
I played my drum for Him, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
I performed music for Him with my drum.
I played my best for Him, pa-rum pum pum pum
I gave it my best while playing for Him.
Then He smiled at me, pa-rum pum pum pum (pa-rum pum pum pum)
He smiled at me in response to my performance.
Me and my drum (me and my drum)
Just me and my drum.
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum (rum pum pum pum)
The sound of the drums repeated.
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum (rum pum pum pum)
The sound of the drums repeated.
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum (rum pum pum pum)
The sound of the drums repeated.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Onorati, Katherine K. Davis, Harry Simeone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ys9hc6nk5p
I can't believe that this was little Michael Jackson singing. Awww I always tear up when he sings. Rip king and legend ❤️😢
@Airsoftcleaner
The Boy who would be King
@latoyaboyd3754
In 2023 I'm still playing my 🥁🥁🥁 this version touches the soul.
@nicholasbrinkley4453
Right here witcha
@youcantalwaysgetwhatyouwan6687
This is the best and the most iconic version for me
@j.brown70
Me too. Hands down the best.
@tonyktown
Michael's incredible voice, his brothers excceptional harmony...damn... This (in my opinion) is handsdown the best Christmas song ever recorded.
@jayskicksnfits9372
exceptional
@CHILL-bk7fy
Michael was so gifted and so were Jackie, Tito and the rest of the brothers singing in the background. And let's not forget the orchestra!
@emmaelonis8989
Michael is the only one who truly did this song justice