Little Drummer Boy
The Starlite Singers Lyrics


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Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Our new born 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
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
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.

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
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
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

The Little Drummer Boy is a Christmas carol that tells the story of a poor boy who is invited to witness the birth of Jesus Christ. As he has no gift to bring to the newborn king, he offers to play his drum. The song begins with a repetition of the sounds made by the drum, "pa rum pum pum pum," evoking the sound of the boy's drum. The song then takes us through the boy's journey as he joins three kings on their way to Bethlehem. Together, they bring their finest gifts to the newborn king. However, the little drummer boy doesn't have anything to offer. He decides to play his drum for the baby Jesus, and Mary nods in approval. The ox and the lamb hear the sound of the drumbeat and join in keeping time.


The boy continues to play his drum, and as he does, he connects with the baby Jesus, playing his best for Him. When he finishes, the little drummer boy looks up and sees that Jesus is smiling at him. The song ends with a repetition of the drum sounds, emphasizing the simple yet powerful connection between the little drummer boy and the newborn king. The song highlights the idea that the best gift one can offer is the gift of oneself and one's talents.


Line by Line Meaning

Come they told me
They came and told me


Pa rum pum pum pum
Peaceful sound made by drum beating


Our new born King to see,
To visit our newly born King


Our finest gifts we bring
We bring our best gifts


To lay before the King
To place before the King


So to honor Him
With the purpose of showing respect and reverence


Little Baby
Newborn child


I am a poor boy too,
I am also a poor child


I have no gift to bring
I don't have anything to offer


That's fit to give our King
That is appropriate to give to our King


Shall I play for you!
Can I perform music for you?


On my drum.
Using my drum as an instrument


Mary nodded
Mary signaled in agreement


The ox and lamb kept time
Animals kept the beat of the music


I played my drum for Him
I performed music on my drum for Him


I played my best for Him
I played my drum with utmost effort for Him


Then He smiled at me
He expressed happiness towards me


Me and my drum.
My drum and I.


Me and my drum
My drum and I.


Me and my drum
My drum and I.


Me and my drum
My drum and I.


Me and my drum
My drum and I.


Me and my drum
My drum and I.




Writer(s): Henry Onorati, Harry Simeone, Katherine Davis

Contributed by Oliver A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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