The role of the choir (numbering between 14 and 20) was to provide musical accompaniment to the church mass. The boys received a solid musical education, which in most cases had a significant impact on the rest of their lives, as many went on to become professional musicians. The composers Jacobus Gallus, Franz Schubert, and the conductors Hans Richter, Felix Mottl and Clemens Krauss were members of the choir.
In 1920 the Hofkapelle (court musicians) was disbanded. However, the rector at the time, Josef Schnitt, sought a continuation of the tradition. In 1924 the "Vienna Boys' Choir" was officially founded and has evolved into a professional music group. Since 1948 the Palais Augarten has served as their rehearsal venue and boarding school which goes from kindergarten level up to middle school level.
The choir is a private, not-for-profit organization. There are approximately 100 choristers between the ages of 10 and 14. The boys are divided into four touring choirs, which perform about 300 concerts each year in front of almost 500,000 people. Each group tours from nine to eleven weeks.
Dr. Eugen Jesser became the choir's president in 2001 and its executive director in 2003. Gerald Wirth, a former choirboy himself, became the choir's artistic director in 2001.
The Little Drummer Boy
The Vienna Choir Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The Vienna Choir Boys' rendition of "The Little Drummer Boy" tells the story of a poor boy who visits the newborn king with his drum. The boy is invited by the kings' attendants to play for him. The song is a perfect representation of the humility and simplicity of true worship. When the boy arrived, he was empty-handed as he had nothing to give the king, but instead of feeling inadequate, he offered his gift of music. He asked if he could play his drum in honor of the king, and Mary nodded her head in agreement. The ox and lamb that were present during the birth of Jesus also kept time to the beat of the drum. The boy played his best, and the baby smiled at him in return.
The lyrics of "The Little Drummer Boy" represent an incredible aspect of Christmas. It reminds us that even though we may not have material wealth or possessions to offer, we can still come to Christ in simple faith and offer what we can. The little drummer boy offers his music, and it is received with joy and delight by the king. This song is a compelling reminder that we can all come to Jesus with our talents, no matter how small or insignificant we believe they may be.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They instructed me to come with a solemn and reverential rhythm
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness the birth of our young monarch
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
Our most superior offerings we present in a ceremonial manner
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To place before the ruler in tribute and obedience
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
A rhythmic cadence signaling the approach of the party
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
Acknowledging the dignity of the reciever by showing respect
When we come
At the time of our arrival
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
A small infant with a steady beat
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also impoverished and humble in this presence
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
Without an offering, anything is insufficient for our monarch
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Appropriate to present to the authority as a tribute
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
A consistent beat of my small drum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
May I perform for your pleasure in this occasion
on my drum?
Using my percussion instrument to entertain and show respect
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The mother of the ruler agreed in a dignified harmony
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The bovine and sheep aligned their rhythms to the beat of the drum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I performed for the respected sovereign with my musical instrument
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I offered my most excellent performance in tribute to the authority
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
An unceasing beat of my drumming
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The revered figure granted me his approval and happiness
Me and my drum
Myself and my instrument, together as one in tribute to the monarch
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
Diana Leal
Love this from the Vienna Boys Choir this my favorite song ever👍😇
Chris Smith
Absolutely Breathtaking! The Vienna Boy's Choir is my favorite for The Little Drummer Boy! Always a magnificent performance!
betty dale peters
Such lovely voices. It wouldn't be Christmas with out these boys and this song. Thank you
Modeltnick
I remember Christmas 1958, I was seven. This song was catching everyone’s attention. On Christmas Eve my dad was driving us to my family gathering and we stopped at a record store where he bought the record! Such sweet memories!
meeranaam
Perfection...the voices of God's little angels. Merry Christmas everyone.
jerseytomato100
Who else gets emotional at the line "Then He smiled at me, a rump-a-bum-bum-bum, me and my drum"? What a sweet image.
Mirenda Norton
I cry every time I hear this and I'm 56 years old! The perfect Christmas song in my opinion ❤
HotWax93
I do.
brenda ann
Yes, I want him to smile at me too :)
Stephanie Loverde
Age is just a number my friend. You’re allowed to have feelings even if you aren’t a child anymore