Songs of Christmas - Little Drummer Boy

14 Songs of Christmas – (3) Little Drummer Boy.

I am a poor boy too. I have no gift to bring. That is fit to give our King. So, I will do my best for Him. Oh, to get a smile from the King, now that would be a thing. Lord, at thy birth. Reverence, respect. So, to honor Him. That is how I see the Little Drummer Boy.

Before I get to the song, let me explain this 14 day run of Christmas Songs posted here. There is a reason for the season, and there is a reason for this 14 Days of Christmas Songs project as well.

Mary's boy child — My brother over my shoulder. I hope he’s still there.

Last May (2021) my younger brother suffered and lost his battle against cancer. I still haven’t completely grasped the idea that I have outlived a younger sibling. I still struggle with our loss. I still remain as a big brother to a pair of siblings and one brother now in heaven. I think of him constantly. He and I were both big fans of each other and of Christmas. We loved being with our family, especially during this time of the year.

My brothers and I shared a room until I was old enough to move out of the house. Even though it has been many years since those days, the bonds we made and shared back then have always remained. That is something that no one could ever take away from us, even with one of us no longer here.

For some months now, I have been thinking of writing more about music, about lyrics, and about the connections that music makes for us all in so many ways. This December I decided to do my 14 Songs of Christmas. My late brother’s favorite number was 14. A lot of folks knew my brother as #14. Since there are 12 days of Christmas, I figured I would come up with a different number for the songs of Christmas. 14 of them, or so.

Little Drummer Boy. (Bob Seger)

Come they told me, pa rum bu bu bumA new born king to see, pa rum bu bu bumOur finest gifts we bring, pa rum bu bu bumTo set before the king, pa rum bu bu bumRum bu bu bum, rum bu bu bum

So to honor him pa rum bu bu bumWhen we come

Little baby pa rum bu bu bumI am a poor boy too, pa rum bu bu bumI have no gift to bring, pa rum bu bu bumThat’s fit to give a king, pa rum bu bu bumRum bu bu bum, rum bu bu bumShall I play for you (ba rum bu bu bum)On my drum

Then he nodded, pa rum bu bu bumThe ox and lamb kept time, pa rum bu bu bumI played my drum for him, pa rum bu bu bumI played my best for him, pa rum bu bu bumRum bu bu bum, rum bu bu bum

Then he smiled at me, pa rum bu bu bum

Me and my drumMe and my drumMe and my drumMe and my drumMe and my drumMe and my drum

Check out the different versions of the song you already know.

Little Drummer Boy – (Spotify) – (YouTube). Bob Seger – This is the one I love most.

Little Drummer Boy – (Spotify) – (YouTube). for KING & COUNTRY

Little Drummer Boy – (Spotify) – (YouTube). Carrie Underwood, Isaiah Fisher.

Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne – (Spotify) – (YouTube). Just good old fashioned guitar mastery.

Then some might wonder, why a manger? What child is this?

What child is thisWho is so blessed he changes all tomorrows?Replacing tears with reborn yearsIn hearts once dark and hollow

And could this be Christ the kingWhose every breath the angels bring?

What Child Is This? – (Spotify) – (YouTube). Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rob Evan. Great song!

Growing up in our house there was a record player in the living room and that was my favorite room, by far, once the Christmas decorations were up. There were Christmas records playing often in the living room and I would listen to the songs as I played with toys on the floor (or with little green Army men in the tree branches). There is no question, that home was, and still is, my favorite place to be at Christmas.

Many times I just sat on the heater/radiator and gazed at the lights and reflections of the decorations on the Christmas tree, while I dreamed boy’s dreams. Or perhaps I stared through the front window into the night, looking past the electric candle, and searching the skies for any hints of snow. So many nights that were silent except for the Christmas music playing.

Sometimes, I still long to be that little kid sitting next to a frosty window, the only light in the room being the glow of our simple Christmas scene. Hearing my Mom in the kitchen and my Dad coming in from the cold night after another day working in the ministry of his calling. Siblings coming in and out, but mostly me solely focused on the songs, the words, and the reason for Christmas. Dreaming my dreams, without knowing that I was learning the tools to cope, to self-sooth, and to be calm.

Knowing that on Christmas morning, I would wake up and go downstairs with my brothers to meet Mom and Dad and my little sister at the base of the Christmas tree. We would always hear the story of that first Christmas, read from the Bible by my Dad. Oh, to go back in time to relearn what I have already learned and be more present.

Thank you for reading through this. I hope you checked out the different versions of songs. Maybe you even found one you didn’t know about, or that you hadn’t heard in a long time. Music is awesome! There is something for everyone. Merry Christmas!

The 14 Songs of Christmas Series so far:

15) Songs of Christmas – Bonus Day Mix

14) Songs of Christmas – The Angels Cried

13) Songs of Christmas – Whoville Medley

12) Songs of Christmas – Walking In The Air

11) Songs of Christmas – Please Come Home For Christmas

10) Songs of Christmas – Blue Christmas

09) Songs of Christmas – Joy To The World

08) Songs of Christmas – Oh Come All Ye Faithful

07) Songs of Christmas – Spirit Of Christmas

06) Songs of Christmas – Mary’s Boy Child

05) Songs of Christmas – Away In A Manger