Little Drummer Boy
Mannheim Steamroller 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 song Little Drummer Boy by Mannheim Steamroller tells the story of a young boy who visits the newborn King of the world with the wise men. The boy is poor, therefore, he has no gift to offer Jesus that would be fit for a king. But he has a drum, so he asks Mary if he can play it for Baby Jesus. With Mary's approval, the boy begins to play his drum, keeping time with the ox and lamb in the manger. He does not have much to offer, but he plays his best for the King, and in return, Jesus smiles at him. The song emphasizes the idea that everybody, regardless of social status or material possessions, can bring something to offer to the King with their talents and abilities.
The song has become one of the most popular Christmas carols of all time since it was written by Katherine K. Davis in 1941. It has been covered by various artists, including Harry Simeone Chorale and David Bowie and Bing Crosby in their infamous duet medley. The song has also been translated into various languages, including French, German, and Swedish. The song's popularity extends beyond the holiday season and is still widely played today.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They invited me, whose drum sounds like pa-rum pum pum pum, to join them
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness the birth of the King, whose arrival is announced by my drum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We offer our most valuable presents, to express our respect and honor to the King
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To place them in front of the King, as a symbol of our tribute for Him
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The sound of my drum, which imitates my heartbeat, accompanies the song
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
To demonstrate our admiration and veneration for Him
When we come
At our arrival
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The King is a newborn infant, whose cry sounds like my drum
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
Like the King, I am from humble origins and have nothing valuable to offer Him
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I lack any present that is worthy of the King's grandeur
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Which is appropriate to present to our majestic King
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
But I can offer my drum, as a token of my love and loyalty to Him
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
May I perform a tune on my drum for your amusement, O King
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The mother of the King agreed, with a nod of her head, to my request
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals in the barn joined in, by moving and shaking to the rhythm of my drum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
With tremendous enthusiasm and sincerity, I banged my drum for the King
I played my best for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I offered my most excellent performance, as a sign of deep respect for the King
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The drumbeat continued, expressing the joy and gratitude of the performer
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King, as if to acknowledge and appreciate my gift, grinned at me
Me and my drum
Together, we shared a special bond, as the King's arrival and my drumming became one and the same
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Anthem Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine Davis
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!