Burrell made his first recording in 1951, with Dizzy Gillespie. After moving from Detroit to New York City in 1956, he recorded with a wide range of prominent musicians, including John Coltrane, Benny Goodman, Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Billie Holiday, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Oscar Peterson, Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine, and Cedar Walton. He also led his own groups since 1951.
In the 1970s he began leading seminars about music, particularly Duke Ellington's (Burrell has a music degree from Wayne State University). A highly popular performer, he has won several jazz polls in Japan and the United Kingdom as well as the United States.
He has recorded about 40 LPs, including Midnight Blue (1961), Blue Lights, Guitar Forms, Sunup To Sundown (1990), Soft Winds (1993), Then Along Came Kenny (1993), and Lotus Blossom (1995).
Burrell now serves as Director of Jazz Studies at UCLA.
The Little Drummer Boy
Kenny Burrell 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
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
The Little Drummer Boy is a Christmas song about a poor boy who is invited by some wise men to visit the newborn King. The boy realizes that he has no gift to bring and offers to play his drum for the baby Jesus instead. Mary nods and the animals keep time as the boy plays his drum, giving his best performance for the King. In the end, the baby Jesus smiles at the boy and his drumming.
The lyrics of the song express the idea that we do not need material wealth to give something of ourselves to others. Although the boy was poor and had nothing tangible to offer, he gave his talents and his music to the baby Jesus. The animals that kept time and the nod from Mary also show that everything and everyone has their own way to contribute and be appreciated, regardless of how small or unconventional.
The simplicity of the song's message and the catchy melody has made it a classic Christmas tune, with many covers and adaptations in various languages and music genres. It is heartwarming to hear the little drummer boy offering his humble tribute to the King, and to imagine the baby Jesus smiling in response.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
Someone informed and invited me to visit the new King with a rhythmic drum sound
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To meet and greet Jesus Christ who has just come into this world
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We carry the most valuable presents to offer to the King
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To put these special items in front of Him
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The sound of traditional drumming is echoing
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
We pay tribute to Him in this way
When we come
When we arrive there
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The newborn is only a small baby, kept in a manger
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
Even I am a poor child with no riches
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I do not have any present that is worthy of offering
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Which would be appropriate and suitable to give to our King
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The drum beats continue
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
May I perform a piece of music on my drum for You?
on my drum?
Using my musical instrument
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary communicated her agreement by a gentle nodding of her head
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
These animals moved in unison with the drum beats
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I began performing my drum music for the baby-born King
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I put all my effort into trying to play His favorite tune
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The drumming beats on
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
At the conclusion of my performance, the little baby smiled at me
Me and my drum
I and My instrument are joyful after the little boy delighted at my drum tunes
Lyrics © ONErpm, INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind