The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Carol of the Drum
Mormon Tabernacle Choir 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 lyrics of the popular Christmas song "Carol of the Drum" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir tells the story of the visit of the newborn King by a poor boy who has no gift to bring. The boy offers to play his drum, and Mary nods in approval. As the boy plays, the animals in the stable- the Ox and Lamb- keep time, and the baby smiles at him.
The song reflects the idea that everyone, regardless of their status or how much money they have, can offer something to the Lord. The poor boy's drumming illustrates the notion that one should use whatever they already have and give it their very best in the spirit of gratitude and praise.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They came and informed me to come along pa-rum pum pum pum
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To see our newly born King pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We bring our best gifts for him pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To present them and lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
Making a joyful sound of drum beat pa-rum pum pum pum. pa-rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
To show respect and reverence to Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
As we arrive
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
A little baby pa-rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I'm just a humble and needy boy pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no valuable gift to offer pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That is suitable to present to our King pa-rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Can I play for you? pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
My drum as an instrument?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary gave a nod of agreement pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and the Lamb kept the beat pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him 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
I gave my best performance for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Making a joyful sound of drum beat pa-rum pum pum pum. pa-rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
He smiled at me as a sign of love and approval pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
I and my drum, a story of humble and simple offering.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Onorati, Katherine K. Davis, Harry Simeone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andreas Öfner
Wunderschön
Michaela Barbieri
You are amazing! You bring me so much joy with your wonderful singing!
Love from Switzerland❤️❤️❤️
and Merry Christmas 2021 to everybody🎄🎄🎄
Sandra Villafuerte
Wondérful Choir and Principal,learning from You All,how to worship twice our Lord.Congratulations Brethren!
Michael Collins
Thank you very much for this beautiful performance. Truly a gift. I am grateful.
Geoff Duke
Beautiful!
Diego Nolasco da Silva
Beautiful
Kathleen Lu
Thanks for such a treat on Christmas Day in Canada. God bless.
Franklin Chin Quee
WONDERFUL, MARVELOUS, JUST ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.
Oyebamiji Oluwole
Very good 💘and best wishes from Nigeria 🇳🇬👏
Ivone Cardoso Da Cruz
Que maravilha!