The Little Drummer Boy
Mannheim Steam Roller 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 by Mannheim Steam Roller tells a story of a young boy who is invited to see the newborn King. He sets out to pay his respects to the King, and being a poor boy, he has no gifts to bring. However, he has a drum and he wonders if playing it for the King would be enough of a gift. When he arrives, he plays his best for the King, and to his delight, the King smiles at him as a reward for his humble offering.
The song is about the simplicity of giving, the act of bringing a gift to honor someone, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. It suggests that the act of giving itself is intrinsically valuable and that it is possible to honor a person, even a king, with a heartfelt and sincere offering. The song also speaks to the message of Christmas: that the greatest gifts are not material possessions, but rather the love and joy shared between friends and family during the holiday season.
Overall, The Little Drummer Boy is a heartwarming and timeless classic that reminds us of the importance of giving from the heart and honoring those we love without the need for extravagant gifts.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They summoned me with urgency and excitement through the beat and rhythm of a drum
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness and pay respect to the recently born King of our land
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We offer our most exquisite treasures to the King
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To present the gifts as an offering to the King
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
Drum beats echoing with a sense of reverence and wonder
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
As a way of expressing respect and admiration towards Him
When we come
Upon arriving at our destination to see the King
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The baby King whom we pay homage to
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
Even though I am poor, I still wish to offer something to the King
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I do not possess any valuable items to present as gifts
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That is suitable and appropriate to offer to our King
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Drum beats resonating with a message of sincerity and devotion
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
May I offer my humble musical talent as my gift to you?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary, the mother of the King, gave her consent and approval
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals in the manger accompanied the beat of the drum with their own rhythms
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I expressed my devotion and respect by playing the drum for Him
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I gave my utmost effort in playing the drum as a way of showing my utmost respect and admiration
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Drum beats continuing to echo with a sense of devotion and wonder
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
In response to my offering, He expressed His gratitude and happiness by smiling at me
Me and my drum
Myself and my drum, as an offering and expression of my devotion to the King
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maryjane Eike
Never heard this version before, it rocks.
checkerknights4
heard it since I was a kid in the 90's. Heard it again today as I opened gift on this Christmas day
T L Bentley
Don't have to say anymore this is Christmas music with an upbeat sound It's great
Andrew Nichols
What a cool arrangement!
Stephen Reynolds
I always enjoyed listening to this song every Christmas!
Chonky Cat 9000
I mainly love Mannheim Steamroller’s slow Christmas songs, but I like this one
Raymond Brewer
These guys are excellent!!
michael croom
love this song
John Wittenauer
Best part if this song was watching Chip play the drums at precise time with the song and the video above them in the early days of their 1st christmas album. Awesome and beautiful!
Kristina Rivera
Mannheim Steamroller is seriously up there with the best christmas classics competing with the carpenters for sure!