For many years, the group presented a ragamuffin image and a vagabonding lifestyle, travelling around Europe in a double-decker bus and houseboat. Their image was enhanced by their eclectic and often homemade clothing, and the very long hair worn by both male and female members of the band. The Kelly Family began to break up in 2000 and afterwards they performed mostly as individuals or sub-sets of the whole group and took on a more mainstream look.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kelly_Family
Discography
The Kelly Family Tours Europe (1977)
The Kelly Family (1979)
Lieder der Welt (1979)
Ein Vogel kann im Käfig nicht fliegen (1980)
Wonderful World (1981)
Une famille c'est une chanson (1984)
Keep on Singing... (1989)
New World (1990)
Honest Workers (1991)
Wow (1993)
Over the Hump (1994)
Almost Heaven (1996)
Growin' Up (1997)
From Their Hearts (1998)
La Patata (2002)
Homerun (2004)
We Got Love (2017)
25 Years Later (2019)
Little Boy
The Kelly Family Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pa rum pum pum-pum
A 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
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?
Rum pum pum-pum
On my drum
Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum-pum
A 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
Rum pum pum-pum
When we come
Rum pum pum-pum
When we come
The lyrics of The Kelly Family's "Little Drummer Boy" tell the story of a young boy who is summoned to see a newborn King. The boy is told that the King is in need of visitors and gifts, so he decides to offer his talent as a drummer. Despite not having any material gifts to present, the boy uses his drum as a means of honoring the King.
The boy refers to himself as a "poor boy," indicating that he may come from a lower socioeconomic background. This emphasizes the contrast between his humble status and the grandeur of the King. The lyrics also highlight the idea that true love and devotion can be expressed through simple acts, and that material wealth is not necessary to pay homage to a higher power.
The repeated line "rum pum pum-pum" serves as a rhythmic element, mimicking the sound of a drumbeat. It reinforces the idea that the boy's drumming is the only gift he has to offer, and it also represents the joy and celebration that accompany the arrival of the newborn King.
Overall, "Little Drummer Boy" conveys the message that sincerity and the offering of one's talents, no matter how small, are valuable and meaningful ways to honor and celebrate something greater than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Come they told me
I was informed to come
Pa rum pum pum-pum
Making a rhythmic sound on my drum
A newborn King to see
To witness the birth of a new King
Our finest gifts we bring
We present our most valuable offerings
To lay before the King
To place them in front of the King
Rum pum pum-pum
Continuing to play the drum rhythmically
So to honor Him
In order to show respect to Him
When we come
Upon our arrival
Little baby
Tiny infant
I am a poor boy, too
I am also a boy from a humble background
I have no gift to bring
I lack a present to offer
That's fit to give our King
That is suitable to present to our King
Shall I play for you
Should I perform music for you
On my drum?
Using my drum as an instrument
When we come
During our arrival
Rum pum pum-pum
Continuing to play the drum rhythmically
When we come
Upon our arrival
When we come
During our arrival
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind