By 1982, they caught the attention of seminal dancehall producer, Henry "Junjo" Lawes, who recorded their biggest hit, "Diseases" over the then immensely popular "Mad Mad" rhythm. This track was featured on their second, and perhaps best LP, "Downpression". They went on to cut an album for Channel One Records, "Step by Step". The last of their hit records was "Sugar Daddy", pressed on RAS Records, which featured yet another reworking of "Mad Mad". The duo continued to record and make appearances at festivals into the early nineties, yet never again achieved the status of their early eighties career.
Drummer Boy
Michigan & Smiley 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 "Drummer Boy" by Michigan and Smiley is a reggae version of the traditional Christmas carol "Little Drummer Boy." The song is about the story of the Magi visiting the newborn King and bringing him gifts. The singer of the song is a poor boy who doesn't have a gift to offer but instead offers to play his drum for the new baby. The singer describes how Mary nods in approval and how the animals, an ox and a lamb, keep time to the beat of his drum. The boy plays his drum as well as he can, hoping to honor the new King. The song ends with the singer saying that the baby smiled at him when he finished playing, along with his drum.
The lyrics of "Drummer Boy" are about giving what you can to honor those who are important to you. The poor boy in the song doesn't have material possessions to offer, but he offers his talent to honor the King. The key message of the song is that what someone brings to the table doesn't have to be significant or valuable; it just needs to be sincere. The importance of doing what someone can with what they have is a significant message for the season, as people living in poverty in the world may not have anything to offer but their talents and abilities.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
The song begins with a call to come and see the newborn King.
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
We have come to see the newborn King.
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We have brought our best gifts to offer to the King.
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
We are here to place our gifts before the King.
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The drum beat continues to carry the message.
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
Our purpose for coming is to honor Him.
When we come
Our arrival is imminent.
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The newborn King is just a little baby.
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I, like the baby King, am poor.
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I have nothing to offer the King.
That's fit to give our King pa-rum pum pum pum
I have nothing worthy enough to give the King.
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The drum beat goes on.
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum on my drum?
Can I play my drum for the King?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary gave consent for the boy to play his drum.
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals nearby danced to the beat of the drum.
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
He played his drum for the baby King.
I played my best for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
He played his drum with all of his heart and soul.
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The drum beat continued to fill the air with joy.
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King smiled at the boy for his offering.
Me and my drum
The boy and his drum were forever remembered for their role in the birth story.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROGER EDENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juleenbancroft-trim6588
I love this song. It brings back sweet memories of Christmas in the dance hall
@marlenefrancis8317
Eu amei muito ❤
@lindseyellis3399
Love this version
@donharder2737
After ALL this time....I first heard "A Reggae Christmas" album on Fort Collins, Colorado KTCL 93.3 FM. Every week it would air it's "93 Minutes" broadcast alternating between the Blues and Reggae. About '85 they aired the whole album....I was hooked immediately on Drummer Boy!!!! It's a 24/7 all year around GR8!!!
@vizzywizzy4543
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@carlosoliver4653
I been listening to this song since I was 11 & now i'm 32, who else still listening in 2020?
@aldenmagalhaes8997
Yup me too ❤️
@andyrattan7796
These songs bring me back to my small days when christmas used to be christmas..
@tonyknowles9194
I been listening to this from I was 10…the best!!
@rickochetproductions
This is the very best version of Drummer Boy.