"The Little Drummer Boy" (originally known as "Carol of the Drum") is a popular Christmas carol written by the American classical music composer Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. First recorded in 1951 by the Trapp Family Singers, the song was popularized by a 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale; the Simeone version was re-released successfully for several years and the song has been recorded many times since.In the lyrics, the singer describes how, as a poor young boy, he was summoned by the Magi to the Nativity of Jesus. Without a gift for the Infant Christ, the little drummer boy played his drum with Jesus’ mother, Mary’s favor; saying, “I played my best for him” and "He smiled at me."


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"The Little Drummer Boy" Lyrics

Come thy told mePa rum pum pum-pumA newborn King to seePa rum pum pum-pum

Our finest gifts we bringPa rum pum pum-pumTo lay before the kingPa rum pum pum-pumRum pum pum-pum Rum pum pum-pum

So to honor HimPa rum pum pum-pumWhen we come

Little babyPa rum pum pum-pumI am a poor boy tooPa rum pum pum-pum

I have no gift to bringPa rum pum pum-pumThat's fit to give our KingPa rum pum pum-pumRum pum pum-pum Rum pum pum-pum

Shall I play for youPa rum pum pum-pumOn my drum

Mary noddedPa rum pum pum-pumThe ox and lamb kept timePa rum pum pum-pum

I played my drum for HimPa rum pum pum-pumI played my best for HimPa rum pum pum-pumRum pum pum-pum Rum pum pum-pum

Then He smiled at mePa rum pum pum-pumMe and my drum


The Story Behind The Little Drummer Boy

According to Wikipedia, this carolwas initially named "Carol of the Drum" and was published by Davis based upon a traditional Czech song. Davis's interest was in producing material for amateur and girls' choirs.Her manuscript is set as a chorale, in which the tune is in the soprano melody with alto harmony, tenor and bass parts producing the "drum rhythm" and a keyboard accompaniment "for rehearsal only". It is headed "Czech Carol freely transcribed by K.K.D.", these initials thenreplaced with "C.R.W.

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Robinson", a name under which Davis sometimes published.The Czech original of the carol has never been known.

Bible Inspiration of "The Little Drummer Boy"

"But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” ~Matthew 19:14

"And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." ~Matthew 2:11

"Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!" ~ Psalm 150

Our Favorite Performance of "The Little Drummer Boy"


Collection of Popular Christmas Hymns and Carols:

O Come, O Come, EmmanuelThe First NoelJoy To The WorldO Holy NightHark! The Herald Angels SingSilent NightO Come All Ye FaithfulGo Tell It On The MountainWhat Child Is ThisO Little Town of BethlehemWe, Three Kings of Orient, AreAve MariaAway in aMangerHave Yourself A Merry Little ChristmasDo You Hear What I Hear?We Wish You A Merry ChristmasThe Little Drummer Boy