Jean moved to Brooklyn, New York when he was nine, then to Northern New Jersey, where he began playing the guitar and studying jazz in his high school. In 1987, Jean, his friend (so close they told people they were cousins growing up) Prakazrel Michel (Pras) and his classmate, Lauryn Hill, formed a group called the Tranzlator Crew before becoming The Fugees. Wyclef worked as a cabdriver.
Recently he has been finding success as a collaborator - with his turn on Shakira's 2006 track 'Hips Don't Lie' hitting number one in many countries around the world.
In August of 2010, Jean announced his intent to seek the presidency of Haiti. This move came after his increasingly-high profile humanitarian work in the wake of the earthquake that devastated that nation.
Little Drummer Boy / Hot Hot Hot
Wyclef Jean 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 lyrics to Wyclef Jean's version of "Little Drummer Boy / Hot Hot Hot" tell the classic story of the Little Drummer Boy who visits the newborn King with his drum as a gift. The song captures the spirit of giving and the desire to honor the King, even when one feels they have nothing material to offer.
The lyrics begin with the invitation to come and see the newborn King, emphasizing the anticipation and excitement surrounding the moment. The phrase "pa-rum pum pum pum" is a rhythmic vocalization imitating the sound of the drum being played. The line "Our finest gifts we bring" expresses the intention of bringing valuable offerings to the King as a sign of respect and adoration.
However, the Little Drummer Boy, acknowledging his own poverty, confesses that he has no material gift to present. Despite this, he offers to play his drum as a way of contributing with his talent and expressing his love for the King. Mary, the mother of Jesus, nods in approval, and even the animals in the stable, symbolized by the Ox and Lamb, rhythmically join in as the Little Drummer Boy plays his drum.
The song concludes with the sentiment that the King, Jesus, smiled at the Little Drummer Boy for his sincere and heartfelt gift, emphasizing the idea that it is not the material value of the gift that matters, but rather the intention and love behind it.
Overall, the lyrics of "Little Drummer Boy / Hot Hot Hot" convey a message of humility, the power of music as a means of worship, and the importance of giving from the heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
They informed me to come with a rhythmic sound
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness our recently born ruler with a rhythmic sound
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We present our most excellent offerings with a rhythmic sound
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To place in front of the monarch with a rhythmic sound
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
With a rhythmic sound, with a rhythmic sound
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
In order to show respect to Him with a rhythmic sound
When we come
At the time of our arrival
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
Tiny infant with a rhythmic sound
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also an impoverished child with a rhythmic sound
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I possess no present to offer with a rhythmic sound
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That is suitable to present to our ruler with a rhythmic sound
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
With a rhythmic sound, with a rhythmic sound
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
Should I perform music for you with a rhythmic sound
on my drum?
using my percussion instrument?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary expressed agreement with a rhythmic sound
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb maintained rhythm with a rhythmic sound
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I performed my percussion instrument for Him with a rhythmic sound
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I gave my utmost effort in playing for Him with a rhythmic sound
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
With a rhythmic sound, with a rhythmic sound
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
At that moment, He expressed happiness towards me with a rhythmic sound
Me and my drum
Myself and my percussion instrument
Lyrics © INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP
Written by: ROGER EDENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind