The Little Drummer Boy
Sorrow Lyrics


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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
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
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
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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sorrow's song The Little Drummer Boy depict the story of a poor boy who visits the newborn King to pay his respects. He has no gift to bring with him, and so instead he offers to play his drum for the baby Jesus. He is hesitant, but with Mary's permission, he begins to play. The animals in the stable also join in, keeping time with the boy's drumming. When the boy finishes playing, Jesus smiles at him and he knows that he has honored the King with his music. The lyrics speak to the idea that even those who feel as though they have nothing to offer can still find a way to give of themselves and honor the divine.


This song is often associated with Christmas and has become a holiday classic, but it was not originally written as a Christmas song. Katherine Kennicott Davis, a composer and teacher, wrote the song in 1941, and it was intended to be a song for children to perform, rather than a piece for the general public. The song was popularized in 1958 by the version recorded by the Harry Simeone Chorale.


Line by Line Meaning

Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They summoned me with a rhythmic cadence


Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness the birth of the King of the World


Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To offer up our most valuable treasures


To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
And place them at the feet of the Sovereign Ruler


Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
To the beat of my drum


So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
In order to demonstrate our respect and reverence


When we come
Upon our arrival


Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
A tiny infant


I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I'm also impoverished


I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I don't have anything valuable to offer


That's fit to give our King pa-rum pum pum pum
That is suitable to present to our Royal King


Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
But I can play my drum for Him


Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum on my drum?
May I offer a musical tribute to you with my humble instrument?


Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary consented with a nod


The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb synchronized their movements to the rhythm of my drum


I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I performed with my drum for Him


I played my best for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I gave my utmost effort in my performance


Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
To the beat of my drum


Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
And the King smiled in approval at me


Me and my drum
My drum and I




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
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Comments from YouTube:

greatpoochini1

I think this is my favourite version of this song.

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