I love Christmas carols. I find them comforting and uplifting and have been known to hum Christmas melodies year round. One of my favorite carols is The Little Drummer Boy. I find it so moving that this boy has nothing but his talent to give to the Christ Child. The line “I played my best for him” gives me chills and reminds me that giving of yourself can be more meaningful than pulling out a wallet and buying a gift.
The Little Drummer Boy was originally called Carol of the Drums. It is believed that the lyrics were written in 1941 by Katherine Kennicott Davis. The song was made famous by the Trapp Family Singers, who recorded it in 1951. The song was recorded again in 1957 by Jack Halloran as part of a Christmas album. It was released as a single in 1958 by Harry Simeone. The song was a huge success, and scored in the top 40 music charts from 1958 to 1962. It has been recorded by many artists including Bing Crosby and David Bowie. There was a stop-action television version of the Little Drummer Boy released in 1968, which is how I was introduced to the song at the age of eleven. I’ve been humming it ever since.
Come they told me
pa rum pum pum pum
A 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
Pum pum pum pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum pa rum
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 pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum
Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
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.
Merry Christmas everyone! See you in 2023!
Best wishes for a blessed holiday season,
Jeannie