Little Drummer Boy
Ray Charles Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
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

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
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
(Lord have mercy now)

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
And then he smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum, oh yeah he did
He smiled so graciously, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
(I looked over yonder and what did i see)

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, oh yes I did.
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, 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
Me and my drum
Me and my drum

(Say it)

Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum




Me and my drum
Me and my drum

Overall Meaning

"Little Drummer Boy" is a traditional Christmas carol which was written in 1941 by Katherine Kennicott Davis. The song is about a young boy who visits the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. The boy, who is too poor to bring a fancy present fit for a king like the other visitors did, offers to play his drum instead as a gift.


The lyrics describe the journey of the boy to the stable of the baby Jesus and his interaction with the other visitors there, particularly Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the animals in the stable. The boy asks if he can play his drum for the baby Jesus as a gift, and Mary gives him permission. He plays his drum as best as he can, and the animals in the stable, particularly the ox and lamb, are impressed and keep time with his playing.


The lyrics evoke a sense of humility and simplicity, yet also a deep sense of devotion and reverence towards Jesus. The boy’s willingness to offer what he can, in spite of his poverty, symbolizes the importance of humility and genuine expression of faith.


Line by Line Meaning

Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
They called out to me to come, with the sound of a drum


Our newborn King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
To see the new King, the Savior of humanity


Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
We bring our most valuable treasures


To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum
To present them as an offering fit for a king


Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
The child in a manger, sleeping in peace


I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a simple boy, with nothing material to offer


I have no gift to bring pa rum pum pum pum
I have nothing of value to offer Him


That's fit to give our King, pa rum pum pum pum
To give Him a fitting present, worthy of a King


So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum
Instead, I will honor Him with a humble heart


Shall I play for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I offer to play my drum for Him


And then he smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum, oh yeah he did
The child looked at me with a smile on his face


He smiled so graciously, pa rum pum pum pum
His smile was so kind and full of grace


Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
Mary looked on and nodded in approval


The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
The animals around us kept pace with the sound of the drum


I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum, oh yes I did.
I played my drum with a joyful heart and a pure intention


I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I gave my very best in honor of the King


Me and my drum
Just me and my humble drum, offering our best to the King




Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Onorati, Katherine K Davis, Harry Simeone

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

GiGi

This has always been my all-time favorite Christmas song, & Ray Charles took this to a whole new level. BEAUTIFUL! 🎢 🌟 🎢

Shannon Clements

GiGi I'm 100% right there with you! I never understood why so many ppl do not like this song in the first place! It has always been my favorite! But then to hear the INCREDIBLE Ray Charles take it to a whole other level! ❀ I guarantee you those who don't like the song would change their minds if they heard him sing it! I mean he is one of the greatest voices EVER!!! Btw have you heard him and Willie Nelson sing 7 Spanish angels? If not, you must check it out!

Tamara Madison

I love this Ray really did his Best for this one

Jonathon Collins

THERE'S ONLY 1 RAY CHARLES!! HE'LL NEVER BE DUPLICATED ONLY IMITATED!!! WHAT A GIFT!! ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATS!!

darlene longo

sure miss knowing he's around.....

Shannon Clements

Jonathon Collins I totally agree! His voice moves me in a way that probably only 4 others do! He's one of the greatest voices EVER! ❀

Ray Consiglio

Only Ray Charles can put soul, Christian, blues and country into a classic!!!

sandra bingham

Absolutely πŸ™ŒπŸ™ŒπŸ™Œ

fabio ponte51

ABSLUTELY!

Jeff Kilgore

Well said.

More Comments

More Versions