Early life
After the separation of his parents, Lee grew up in Sacramento on the poultry farm of his grandparents. At the age of seven, he began playing the saxophone, and at the age of nine became a member of a dance ensemble. In 1969, he joined the Chester Smith Band and had his first television appearance. A short time later, he worked with the country musician Del Reeves.
He founded his first band, Apollo, in 1962. He briefly battled a cocaine addiction and moved to Iceland to go to rehab. The band, which changed its name later to Lee Greenwood Affair, played mostly pop music and appeared mostly in casinos in Las Vegas. A few records were recorded in Los Angeles with the Paramount label. After the band broke up in the 1970s, Greenwood moved back to Las Vegas, where he worked as a black jack dealer during the day, and as a singer at night.
Career
In 1979, he was discovered in Reno, Nev., by Larry McFaden, the bandleader and bassist of Mel Tillis. After making some demo tapes, Greenwood was signed in 1981 by the Nashville-based MCA label, and McFaden became his manager.
The first single, "It Turns Me Inside Out", made it to a spot in the top 20 of the country charts. Greenwood had written this song for Kenny Rogers, but Rogers turned it down due to the sheer volume of songs he had been offered at the time. "Ring On Her Finger and Time on her Hands" landed him in the country top 10.
He is best known for writing and recording the patriotic song "God Bless the USA" in the early 1980s. "God Bless the USA" gained renewed popularity following the launch of Operation: Desert Storm in 1991, and again, ten years later, following the September 11, 2001 attacks; in fact, the song even re-entered the Top 20 of the country charts in late 2001. Since then, Greenwood has played at many public events and commemorations of the attacks. He supports the United States Republican Party.
Theater
In 1995, Greenwood took a break from his touring schedule to spend time with his wife and newborn son. In his time off, he elected to build a theater in Sevierville, Tenn., and in April 1996, the "Lee Greenwood Theater" opened its doors. This gave Greenwood the opportunity to still perform daily shows, in addition to being with his family. The theater operated for five seasons, and closed for Greenwood to continue touring. The theater was not located in the heavily entertainment and tourist oriented areas of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Gatlinburg, Tenn., which contributed to the theater closing. The former theater building is now host to a church.
Little Boy Sad
Lee Greenwood 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 lyrics of Lee Greenwood's version of "The Little Drummer Boy" convey a message of humility and the essence of Christmas - that its true meaning transcends the material things that have become associated with the holiday. The song begins with the singer being invited by others to come and see the newborn King, to which they responded by bringing their finest gifts. The singer of the song, who is a poor boy, however, admits that he has nothing fit to give the King.
Instead, he offers to play his drum for the Baby. Mary nods in agreement, and the animals kept time as the boy played his drum for the newborn King. He played his best, and in return, he receives a smile from the King. The song is a reminder that regardless of one's status, everyone can make a heartfelt offering to the Lord - something as simple as playing a drum - as long as it is done with sincerity.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
We were informed to visit Jesus by someone who told us with a rhythmic sound of drums.
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
We are coming to see our new King, who is just born and needs our attention.
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We have brought our best gifts to present to our King, with the beat of drums.
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
We intend to put our offerings in front of the newborn King, with a rhythmic drumming sound.
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
We will keep playing the drums to honor the King and keep up the rhythm.
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
Playing drums is our way of paying tribute to the King and showing our respect.
When we come
We will make sure to continue playing the drums as we come to meet the King.
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The King we have come to visit is a little newborn Baby, and we play the drums for Him.
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
Like the Baby King, I am also a poor boy and don't have much to offer except my drumming.
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I don't have any material gifts to present, but I have my drumming skills to offer to the King.
That's fit to give our King pa-rum pum pum pum
My drum-playing is the best thing I can offer to the King and I hope He is pleased with it.
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum on my drum?
I offer to play my drum for the King if He would like to hear it and feel the rhythm.
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary, the mother of Jesus, approved of the idea of the little boy playing drums for her newborn son with a rhythmic sound.
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
Even the animals in the stable are tapping along with the drumbeat, keeping time to the rhythm of the drums.
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
The little boy is playing his drum for the King, creating a rhythmic sound to fill the air with harmony.
I played my best for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
The little boy is giving his best performance on the drum, making sure that the King is pleased with his drumming.
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The sound of the drum has filled the air, with the rhythmic beats echoing in harmony.
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King, in all His glory, smiled at the little boy, acknowledging his offering with a rhythmic beat of the drums.
Me and my drum
The boy and his drum have paid homage to the King and have been accepted with respect and appreciation.
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
@lastninja7365
I’m from Japan and become an American on the Memorial Day this year. I love God and America, it’s a great country to live and work in. I’m proud of being an American where at I know I’m free and I won’t forget the men who die who gave the right to me.
@TheJd195555
Welcome to America 🇺🇸 who has served in the United States Navy and spent 5 years of it Japan 🇯🇵. I came to love the people and enjoyed my time there.
God bless you 🙏 ✝️ 🙏
@johnwyskochil463
Glad to have you here friend.
@Cat-pz7wj
WELCOME!!! It IS a great country, don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
@almighty5839
Don’t vote blue
@dougwood1658
Thank you..Glad you are now a citizen of this GREAT COUNTRY !!
I served in the Army from 1972-1974...
God Bless the USA !!!
@bsdnmd
Im born from Mexican Parents in the Good ol' US of A and when my parents became citizens, this song played and my mom shed tears she was finally an American. She waved the Stars and Stripes. If I were born again id be begging to be born in the US of A AGAIN!
@afs9612
Atta boy!
@jesusofbullets
A true American. Bless you brother.
@lowereastsideastrologist7769
you messican?