During World War II, Alexander was a member of the Luftwaffenhelfer and the Reichsarbeitsdienst before being drafted into the navy. In 1945, he was captured by the British and held as a prisoner-of-war.
After the war he attended Vienna's Max Reinhardt Seminary for actors until 1948 and started a career as actor. He starred in several musical comedies, including among others Liebe, Tanz und 1000 Schlager and Peter schießt den Vogel ab. Later he starred in the famous Count Bobby movies and the Luemmel-series. In the 1970s, Peter Alexander started a second career as a TV host and entertainer. He is a talented imitator of voices and people, including Queen Elizabeth II.
He married Hilde Haagen in 1952, and they had two children, Susanne Alexander Neumayer (born in 1958), an artist, and Michael (born in 1963). Since the death of his wife Hilde in 2003, he has lived in his house in Vienna in the 19th district, completely retired from the public.
Peter Alexander died on February 12th 2011 in Vienna.
Little Drummer Boy
Peter Alexander 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 Peter Alexander tells the story of a poor boy who visits the newborn King with the intention of offering him a gift. The boy, realizing that he has no gift to offer, decides to play his drum for the baby. Mary, the mother of Jesus, nods her approval and the surrounding animals keep time with the beat of the drum. The boy plays his best for the baby and, in return, receives a smile from the King.
This song is a beautiful testament to the idea that we all have something to offer, regardless of our background or circumstances. The little drummer boy may not have had great wealth or possessions, but he had a talent and a willingness to share it. This act of generosity and humility is a powerful message that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
The song starts with the singer being told by someone to come along and play his drum.
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
The purpose of the journey is to see and pay respect to their newly born king.
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
The group is bringing their best gifts as an offering to their king.
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
The group intends to humbly lay their gifts before the king.
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
The reason for the journey and gift giving is to honor and show respect to the king.
When we come
The group is coming to see their king and offer their gifts when they arrive.
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
On arriving, the group sees and addresses the newborn king as a little baby.
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
The artist expresses that he is poor and unable to offer expensive gifts to the king, like the others.
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
The poor narrator has no gift to offer the king, unlike the others.
That's fit to give our King pa-rum pum pum pum
The poor narrator feels that he doesn't have anything worthy to give to the king.
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum on my drum?
As an alternative, the singer offers to play his drum for the king as a gift.
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary, the mother of Jesus, expresses approval of the drummer boy's offer by nodding.
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
While the drummer boy played his drum, the animals, an ox and a lamb, kept rhythm to the beat.
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
The drummer boy plays his drum for the king, as he promised.
I played my best for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
The drummer boy puts all his effort and heart into playing his drum for the king.
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Upon hearing the drummer boy's performance, the king, baby Jesus, rewards him with a smile.
Me and my drum
The song ends with the drummer boy and his drum, having fulfilled his purpose and made the king happy.
Lyrics © ONErpm, INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Angelika Treiblmaier
Peter Alexander war einfach spitze! Er war nicht nur ein toller Sänger,sondern auch ein großartiger Schauspieler und dazu ein hervorragender Showmaster!So jemand gibt es heut zu Tage leider nicht mehr !
Mario Fedoran
Die beste deutschsprachige Version die es jemals gegeben hat. Peter du warst und bist ein Gigant lange lange noch nach deinem Ableben. Solche Entertainer wie dich wird es nicht mehr geben.
Maria Flachberger
"Eine Legende"
ingeborg Hofmann
....doch ein neuer Stern ist aufgegangen, namens # Martin Frank # toll dass die Schöpfung immer wieder geniale Künstler hervorbringt, auch er ist ein genialer Sänger, Schauspieler Entertainer, das er von sich selber auch sagt. Danken wir der Schöpfung, dass auch die nachgeneration so tolle Künstler live erleben dürfen :—-))))
Thorsten Mittler
Su kurz nach Weihnachten noch mal so richtig heftig Gänsehaut bekommen. Was für ein Kerl. Was für eine Stimme. Ich fange immer an zu träumen wenn unseren Peter singen höre. Er macht die Welt wie sie jetzt ist mit seiner unvergessenen Stimme immer wieder ein Stück besser und fröhlicher. Sensationell.
Iris Sowada
Peter war ein toller Mann! Alles vergangenheit! Wie doch die Zeit vergeht! Ruhe in Friede,wundervolle Seele!❤🙏❤
Mr. Teutonic
Mit großem Abstand die schönste Version dieses Liedes (aller Zeiten)!!
Schade, dass solche Entertainer, Künstler und Schauspieler in einer Person - wie Peter Alexander einer war - heute nicht mehr existieren...
Ich bin erst 37 und habe bereits als Jugendlicher diese Seele von einem Menschen gemocht
Helga Horvath
Peter du warst ja doch der Größte!
Hasenfuss
@Helga Horvath Absolut die beste Version. 👍👍👍🙏
No Name
Wenn alle anderen "Sänger" von heute vergessen sind und in der Versenkung verschwunden sind, wird man sich an ihn erinnern! So wie an viele andere seines Schlages.Seine Stimme ist unverkennbar und kein Einheitsbrei!