O Little Town of Bethlehem / Little Drummer Boy
Mariah Carey Lyrics

Oh, little town of Bethlehem
The singer reflects on the peacefulness of Bethlehem, highlighting it's stillness.

How still we see thee lie
The singer continues to draw attention to the stillness and calmness of Bethlehem.

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
Bethlehem is described as being deeply asleep, yet still dreaming.

The silent stars go by
The singer observes the starry night sky passing by silently over Bethlehem.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth
Despite the darkness, there is still light shining through the streets of Bethlehem.

The everlasting light
This light represents hope and faith, and is described as being eternal.

The hopes and fears of all the years
The singer suggests that the people of Bethlehem carry a great deal of hope and anxiety within them, which is tied to their religious beliefs and traditions.

Are met in thee tonight (tonight)
These hopes and fears are woven into the very fabric of Bethlehem's history, and are felt particularly strongly on this night.

Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
The repeated drumbeat suggests a sense of excitement and energy building up.

When he smiled at me
The singer reflects on a personal connection they feel to Christ, seeing his smile as a symbol of joy and hope.

For Christ is born of Mary
This line reminds the listener of the traditional story of Christ's birth, and the significance of the event.

And gathered all above
This line suggests a gathering of spiritual forces (such as angels) around Bethlehem, adding to the energy and excitement of the occasion.

While mortals sleep
The events of Christ's birth are taking place while most people are sleeping, adding to the sense of wonder and magic.

The angels keep
The angels are depicted as active and involved in the celebration, keeping watch over events.

Their watch of wondering love
The love of the angels is described as full of wonder and amazement, adding to the overall sense of celebration.

Oh, morning stars together
The singer draws attention to the morning stars, which are seen as symbols of hope and good fortune.

Proclaim the holy birth
This line highlights the significance of Christ's birth as a holy event.

And praises sing
The singer suggests that all creatures are singing together in celebration of Christ's birth.

To God the king
The singer acknowledges God's role as the ruler of the world, and the one who has made this event possible.

And peace to men on earth
Peace is invoked as a key part of the significance of this event. The singer hopes that it will bring peace to all people, everywhere.

Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
The drumbeat continues, building up to a crescendo of excitement and celebration.

Pa, pa, pum, pa, pa, pum, pa, pa, pa pum
The rhythm becomes more complex and insistent, evoking a sense of increased energy and excitement.

Pa, pa, pa, pum, pum, pa, pa, pa, pa, pum, oh
The final notes of the song climax in a burst of joy and celebration, bringing the medley to a close.