The Little Drummer Boy
The Bomboras 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 Bomboras' version of "The Little Drummer Boy" is a cover of a Christmas song that tells the story of a young boy who visits the newborn baby Jesus with nothing to give him except for the gift of his music. The opening lines introduce us to the boy's journey to meet the "newborn King," with the repeated refrain of "pa-rum pum pum pum" serving as the beat of his drum as he walks. The boy is joined by others bringing gifts for the baby, but he feels inadequate with nothing to offer but his drum and asks if he can play a song for the King.


Mary, the mother of Jesus, gives the boy permission to play his drum for the baby Jesus. The boy plays his drum as the animals in the manger keep time, contributing to the festive atmosphere of the scene. The boy is nervous, but he plays his best for the baby and Jesus smiles at him in response. This ending can be interpreted to mean that the true gift given to Jesus was not material possessions, but the boy's willingness to offer his talent and celebrate the birth of Jesus.


Overall, "The Little Drummer Boy" is a touching Christmas story about the humble gift of music that can be interpreted as a metaphor for the importance of sharing our talents with others regardless of our level of material wealth.


Line by Line Meaning

Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They informed me that I should come with rhythmic sound


Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness the newly born King of our community with rhythmical beats


Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
The most valuable presents we bring to offer with rhythmic sounds


To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To place the valuable gifts in front of the King with rhythmic beats


Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The continuous sound produced by the drummer's drum


So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
To show respect and praise to the King with rhythmic beats


When we come
The moment we arrive with our rhythmic sound


Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The little newborn is surrounded with rhythmic drumming sounds


I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also a destitute child with only my drum to offer rhythmic sound


I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I have nothing valuable to present other than my rhythmic drumming sound


That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Which is suitable to dedicate to the newly born King, apart from my rhythmic drumming sound


Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The continuous sound produced by the drummer's drum


Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Can I offer you the sound of my drum?


on my drum?
Do you permit me to use my drum to offer a rhythmic sound?


Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mother Mary approved the use of the drum to produce rhythmic sound


The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals in the stable followed the rhythm of the drummer's sound


I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
The drummer played his drum to offer rhythmic sound to the newborn King


I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
The drummer gave his best to offer the most exceptional rhythmic sound to the King


Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The continuous sound produced by the drummer's drum


Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King shows gratitude towards the drummer for his rhythmic sound


Me and my drum
A humble drummer with his drum had a chance to offer rhythmic sound to the King




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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