Mandisa Diane Hundley, artistically known as 'Mandisa' (born October 1, 197… Read Full Bio ↴Mandisa Diane Hundley, artistically known as 'Mandisa' (born October 1, 1976) is an American-Grammy award winning singer who rose to fame as one of the favourites in the fifth (2006) season of American Idol. Despite finishing as the overall ninth place finalist, Mandisa has gone on to become one of the most successful idol contestants of all time. Mandisa has gone on to release four studio albums, "True Beauty" (2007) "Freedom" (2009) "What If We Were Real" (2011) and "Overcomer" (2013) She's also released two holiday EPs "It's Christmas" (2008) and "It's Christmas - Angel Edition" (2012) Mandisa's music ventures a blend between Christian music, soul, pop and R&B.

Mandisa grew up in Citrus Heights, California (Sacramento County) and graduated from El Camino Fundamental High School. She then attended American River College in Sacramento where she studied Vocal Jazz. Then she was off to Fisk University in Tennessee and graduated with a bachelor's of music degree with a concentration in vocal performance. Mandisa currently resides in the suburban Nashville community of Antioch, Tennessee. When she auditioned for American Idol in Chicago, she asked the judges to call her "just Mandisa", and she has been billed as Mandisa (with no last name) on the show since the shows Hollywood round. Mandisa was a backup singer for famed Christian author and speaker Beth Moore. She has stated her musical influences run the gamut from Whitney Houston to Def Leppard.

Idol judge Simon Cowell made several comments about Mandisa's weight during her audition. When he first saw her, he quipped are we "going to have a bigger stage this year." Later, when Paula Abdul commented that Mandisa had a "Frenchie" growl to her voice, Cowell responded that a more apt comparison would be to France itself. These were among comments that drew the ire of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, and would be one of the reasons Mandisa would entitle her 2007 album "True Beauty".

According to the Stronger Songfacts, the 11 tracks of Mandisa's 2011 album What If We Were Real encourage shining the light on whom we really are, including both the good and the bad; the theme of the record also coincided with Mandisa's public struggles with food addiction and weight loss. "A struggle is a struggle, and Jesus is there through it all," the singer explained. "He is there in compassion and grace. I have found that what He has spoken to me through these songs has been encouraging and I think that'll be true for other people who are going through their own hard times."

Little Drummer Boy
Mandisa Lyrics

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Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born 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

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
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 the 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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Little Drummer Boy" by Mandisa are about a young boy who visits the newborn King with the intention of bringing him the best gift he can offer. Yet as a poor boy, he has nothing which he considers fit to give the King. All he can do is play his drum. He asks Mary if he can play for Jesus and she nods. The ox and lamb also join in with the gentle rhythm of his drumming as he plays his best for Jesus.

The lyrics are a beautiful representation of how we can offer our gifts no matter how small or insignificant they might be in the grand scheme of things. The young boy did not have any worldly possessions, but he had a talent - his drumming. And he offered that to the King. In the same way, we should all strive to offer our unique gifts and talents to the world, even if we feel like they are insignificant in comparison to others.

Line by Line Meaning

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
I was informed to come with the sound of my drum

A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
To witness the arrival of the new King

Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
We bring our best gifts

To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum
As an offering to the King

rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The beat of my drum

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum
In order to show our respect to Him

When we come
As we approach

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
The newborn child

I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I am not wealthy either

I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
I have nothing to bring as a gift

That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum
Worthy of giving to the King

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum
May I perform my music for you?

On my drum?
With my instrument?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
Mary gave me permission

The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
The animals joined in the rhythm

I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my music for him

I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I gave it my all for Him

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
He showed me a sign of approval

Me and my drum
The two of us, my drum and I

Lyrics © INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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