The Salsoul Orchestra was formed in 1974 in New York City, U.S.A. It was di… Read Full Bio ↴The Salsoul Orchestra was formed in 1974 in New York City, U.S.A. It was disbanded in 1982. The Salsoul Orchestra was the 'house orchestra' of Salsoul Records. It was mainly Vincent Montana, Jr. who wrote, conducted and produced the orchestra. The orchestra routinely included up to fifty members (including up to 18 violinists). Apart from it's own recordings, it played for numerous groups and artist on the Salsoul label. Montana got his start doing sessions for philly soul producers, and he adapted that lush style to disco, adding Latin motifs and textures.

Though Salsoul records had long been out of print, several were brought back in the mid-'90's. Many of the more recent 'house' music offerings owe more than a passing nod to the recordings of this orchestra.

Little Drummer Boy
The Salsoul Orchestra 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
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 Salsoul Orchestra's version of Little Drummer Boy depicts the story of a young boy who had no gift to bring to the King except for his drum. The song is about the visit of the three wise men to the newborn King, and how drum playing was used to express praise and worship. The first verse shows the wise men announcing their arrival to Mary and Joseph, stating their intention to bring gifts to the King. In the second verse, the young boy reveals that he, too, would like to present a gift to the King, despite his lack of material belongings. The boy offers to play his drum as a gift instead, and Mary, acknowledging his sincerity, allows him to do so. The boy played his drum for the King and everyone present, and the King smiled at him, appreciating the gift that the boy had offered.

The lyrics of The Salsoul Orchestra's version of Little Drummer Boy highlights the importance of giving what one has, being grateful for little things, and using one's talents and gifts in worship. The song teaches that everyone can offer something to the King, even if it may not seem like much. It encourages people to be themselves and use their unique abilities in service to others and in worship.

Line by Line Meaning

Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They summoned me with a drum's sound effect, pa-rum pum pum pum

Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To visit and behold our newly arrived King, pa-rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We offer our most exquisite presents, pa-rum pum pum pum

To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To present them as offerings to the King, pa-rum pum pum pum

Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
Drumbeat sound effect - rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum

So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
In order to esteem and worship Him, pa-rum pum pum pum

When we come
At our arrival

Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
A tiny infant, pa-rum pum pum pum

I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also an impoverished child, pa-rum pum pum pum

I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I possess no present worthy enough to bring, pa-rum pum pum pum

That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
To provide to our King as an acceptable offering, pa- rum pum pum pum

Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Can I play my drum for you? pa-rum pum pum pum

on my drum?
with the instrument I'm carrying?

Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary signaled her approval with a slight motion, pa-rum pum pum pum

The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb regulated the rhythm, pa-rum pum pum pum

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

Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Drumbeat sound effect - rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum

Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
He granted me a smile, pa-rum pum pum pum

Me and my drum
I and my drum

Lyrics © 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:

Nelson Cruz

10y↑35

Without a doubt, the Salsoul Orchestra outdid themselves when they released this LP back in 1976. To this day it ranks better than any other Christmas album ever put out. Every song on this LP is awesome. Thanks for uploading these songs.

Jafet Rodriguez

Nelson Cruz Well Said!

Thomas C

Agreed; my Mom bought this album in 1976, and it's been a part of my Christmas ever since.

skyhigh

6y↑2

@Thomas C same here. I was the first one on my block with this album in 1976 and it is a Christmas staple. Bendiciones a todos y felicidades!

randy batson

i fully agree!!

anniec clarke

Fa real mon

2 More Replies...

consie35

13y↑10

Thank you soooooo much for adding these songs!!! Bring back so much fun memories!

Federico Castañeda

☺☺😘

Alan Morris

When I first heard this song in 1976, I was standing in front of a record store watching a wino dance. Now whenever I hear this song, I can still see that guy holding his wine bottle and dancing.

Nikki Sokol

11y↑10

One of my favorite Christmas carols and this version really took it to another level.
Crazy about the whole album. Puts me in the xmas mood everytime.

Theresa Ciarrocchi

9y↑14

😱 OMG I love this Christmas album!! always puts a smile on my face and warmth in my heart and soul, gives me the Christmas spirit!!! 💯🌠😉😄💗💖❤💋

Federico Castañeda

5y↑1

👌👌👌👌👌

ToddR4824

12y↑12

Still the best......I bought this the year it came out......Was at the mall and the record store had this playing.....I just followed where the music was coming from......It drew you right in......Then again, I'm a major 50 year old disco boy !

Edwin Shanks

Same here.

sherlon hunte

12y↑14

awesome music the best christmas songs ever so heart warming

Eduardo Gonzales

5y↑3

Tantos, pero tantos años busqué estas canciones navideñas...recuerdo mis Navidades de hace tiempo, Gracias youtube, Gracias The Salsoul Orchestra 😉👍

Michael Deleon

11y↑7

First played the entire album during my early years in Broadcasting on WNYE in New York in 1977, and introduced it to Bermuda during Xmas 1981 when I began broadcasting there on VSB 1640 Radio. It was WOW !!! IT STILL IS> !!!!

MrAntiSellOut

12y↑8

I'm glad I'm always thanking the 70's for my childhood.

Talking Back

6y↑4

I love this version... Just me and my son again... 🇵🇷🇮🇱

DiscoMatty 1979

Puerto Rico and Israel? Who's his father, Juan Epstein?

Alan Morris

5y↑8

The first time I heard this song in 1976, I was standing in front of "The Soul Shack" record store in Charlotte watching a wino dance to this song. Now whenever I hear this song, I can still see that guy holding his wine bottle and dancing.

Carlos Yat Coy

5y↑1

Esta es la gran versión de 1973 que andaba buscando, después de buscarlo desde hace 10 años al fin los encontré. me fascina y lo disfruto ahora. Gracias por subirla. Merry christmas y Happy 2020.

Guillermo Rodriguez

4y↑3

Salsoul Orchestra best album ever 2020.
Merry Christmas to all ❤❤❤❤

Delores Mitchell

5y↑2

Salsoul Orchestra is a Classic for all times to come. My great grand listens to it.

Forever Whalers

13y↑5

I love it. I think I like this newly remastered version better than the original.

DiscoMatty 1979

5y↑1

Me, too. I have the original LP, and was disappointed that this version wasn't on the record

randy batson

3y↑1

This is epic....even after all these years of hearing it, dating back to the early 80's.

Snoopydoggydog

13y↑4

I remember this album as a child in st thomas it brings back so many memories

Helen Louise Gorayeb

5y↑2

I am old enough to remember this, listening before I was ten years of age!

Shad Elrington

12y↑7

Was a staple on radio Belize,one of my all time favorites.

Cheryl Gaston

5y↑1

Had this album and loved every xmas song on it

Ashrena Machulla

4y↑2

I Really Like And Love This Song It's AweSome An Cool 🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵

DiscoMatty 1979

4y↑1

It's almost that time of year, again. I have this album, Disco Noel framed, and display it every year. Whether my family likes it or not.

Ruth murphy-diggs

10y↑5

Yes....the memories. ..stay in corner of our minds

Alan Morris

such good memories of my childhood in the 70s and 80s

Dwight A Walker III

5y↑4

If there ever was A Christmas Jam, this qualifies as one of the best and I am unanimous in that!!!

Shhhh We Like It Quiet

4y↑5

Still being played on the radio in Trinidad <3

William

4y↑2

Lucky.

CoverHeaven

8y↑3

Nice version!

Marva Harding

9y↑6

memories back in the day. loveeee

allegend

12y↑6

wao i love it i remember used these song in commercial spot in 80, 90 decades in my country Panama...

Karen Fashaw

2y↑1

Always my altime favorite christmas song

bamm bamm

11y↑5

AWESOMESAUCE!

John Fisher

11y↑7

It was tongue-in-cheek to feature family-oriented Christmas songs, yet show the dance-your-ass-off lady's pose from the prior Salsoul album. At least they covered her tush for this Christmas album.

Ashrena Machulla

4y↑2

My Mother Really Likes And Loves This Song As Well AlSo 2 🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵

anniec clarke

4y↑1

Finally every year a search for this ..the best indeed

MarCor™

11y↑13

"Baby Jesus...I am a poor boy too...I have no gifts to bring...That's fit to give a KING....Shall I play for you....On my drum....#justloveit

AmsterdamBuhd

5y↑1

I love this album.

Lulun Gameena

5y↑1

What every new mother wants, someone playing the drums for their newborn.

William

Always makes me feel emotional

lesley michelle

12y↑4

super arreglo de Vincent Montana Jr.

Arturo Colon

10y↑7

This being me back when I was a teen

Alan Morris

me too

thelostdemon

6y↑1

curious detail, the stereo sound is inverted in most of the editions of this disc in digital, including this, listen to their LP edition of those times vs the cd to notice it hahaha

Ashrena Machulla

4y↑2

My Father Really Likes And Loves This Song As Well AlSo 2 🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵

K92FM 92.1

This song is a staple of 1210 WDAO'S playlist. Dayton Ohio.

Ashrena Machulla

4y↑2

My Brother Really Likes And Loves This Song As Well AlSo 2 🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵

MarCor™

2y↑1

❤️💯❤️

Serge Prevost

8y↑7

how sad it is that the original version from 1976 could not be released. This version does not have the spirit of the original tapes from 1976. It seems to be re recorded

Stacy Atlas

8y↑1

Listen more closely. It has only been remixed by the excellent Tom Moulton with slight augmentation - https://www.discogs.com/Salsoul-Orchestra-Christmas-Jollies/release/5058245

Serge Prevost

8y↑1

Thanks for the precision Jerry, but I prefer the original mix from 1976. This is the version that I used to listen and reminds me the good times then. Recently I bought from Japan the cd that was supposed to be the original mix from 1976 and appears to be the same mix than the one released by Friday music.....

Stacy Atlas

8y↑1

I also prefer the original album; however, the 2015 Friday Music release, titled "Christmas Jollies: The Deluxe Edition" is remastered from the original Salsoul Records master tapes. It is not a remix. - https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Jollies-Original-Recording-Remastered/dp/B00MA155CA/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RS1102RV12HMHH13DE1A.