In 1988, Downing finally made his solo debut, releasing the self-titled Will Downing. The album featured a new version of John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme." The track did not fair well on the R&B charts but it managed to reach #4 on the Dance charts. In the United Kingdom, "A Love Supreme" managed to reach #14 on the singles charts.
Downing has released many albums throughout his career, always on the brink of stardom but never quite making it. In 1989 he released Come Together As One and in '91, Dream Fulfilled. The latter featured the single "I Try" which reached #13 on the R&B charts, Downing's best performance to date.
1993 saw Downing's fourth album release with Love's the Place to Be. In 1995, he released Moods and in 1997, Invitation Only. Continuing his steady stream of releases, 1998 saw Pleasures of the Night, 2000 offered All the Man You Need and in 2002, Sensual Journey.
With so many albums under his belt, Downing never slows down, releasing Emotions in 2003, Christmas, Love and You in 2004 and Soul Symphony in 2005.
While Will Downing has never been a massive celebrity in the United States, he has seen reasonable success in the United Kingdom.
The Little Drummer Boy
Will Downing 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 song "The Little Drummer Boy" by Will Downing is a classic Christmas carol that tells the story of a poor boy who wants to bring a gift to the newborn King. The lyrics highlight the humble character of the boy who makes up for his lack of material wealth with sincerity and a pure heart. "Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum" is an invitation extended to the drummer boy to go and see the newborn King, and honor Him with the little that he has to offer - his drumming skills. The phrase "pa-rum pum pum pum" is an onomatopoeic reference to the sound of the boy's drum that he played for the King.
When the boy reaches the King, he does not have any tangible gift to offer such a great king. However, he asks Mary if he can play his drum for the King. Mary nods in agreement, and the boy starts drumming. The phrase "The Ox and Lamb kept time" is a personification of the animals, indicating that they were moving in rhythm with the boy's drumming. The boy puts his heart into playing the drum, and although he does not have much to give, he gives his best, "I played my best for Him." The newborn King, being pure and innocent, smiles back at the boy, forgiving him of his perceived shortcomings, and recognizing the drummer boy's sincere offering.
In conclusion, "The Little Drummer Boy" is a beautiful Christmas carol that teaches us that the most important gifts we can offer to others are those that come from the heart. Like the drummer boy who gave his best to the newborn King, we should endeavor to give our all in everything we do, whether big or small, and always seek to make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
We were invited to come and see the newborn King with a rhythmic beat
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
We were invited to see the newborn King and to recognize his majesty with a rhythmic beat
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We bring our best gifts to offer to the King with a rhythmic beat
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
We lay our offerings before the King with a rhythmic beat
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
We continue to play our drums with a rhythmic beat in honor of the King
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
We play our drums to honor the King with a rhythmic beat
When we come
We play our drums as we come to the King
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
We acknowledge the newborn King as a little, innocent baby with a rhythmic beat
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also poor and have little to offer to the King with a rhythmic beat
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I have nothing of value to offer to the King with a rhythmic beat
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That would be considered worthy to present to the King with a rhythmic beat
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
I still play my drum with a rhythmic beat as my offering to the King
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum on my drum?
May I offer my drumming as a gift to you, King?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary affirmed my offer with a rhythmic beat
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The accompanying animals kept the same beat with a rhythmic beat
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for the King with a rhythmic beat
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I gave my best effort in playing my drum for the King with a rhythmic beat
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
I kept playing with a rhythmic beat to honor the King
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King smiled at me in response to my offering with a rhythmic beat
Me and my drum
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to honor the King with my rhythmic beat
Lyrics © INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, ONErpm, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind