The Little Drummer Boy

The Rankin-Bass version of “The Little Drummer Boy” came out 50 years ago this Christmas season, on December 19th 1968. The climactic last five minutes are shown above complete with the song of the same name. Rankin-Bass is best known for “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1964).

The song itself only goes back to 1941 and did not become popular till the 1950s. So back then it was a newish Christmas song. One of my favourite Christmas books was based on this song.

See also:

• songs: the 1960s
• Christmas
  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
  • Dr Seuss: Welcome Christmas – the last five minutes of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (1966)

Lyrics:

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.

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 the 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.

Source: carols.org.uk.