Full Answer
What is the importance of the Little Drummer Boy?
They may seem to have been nearly ornamental figures in military bands, but they actually served a critically important purpose on the battlefield. And the character of the drummer boy, besides being a fixture in Civil War camps, became an enduring figure in American culture.
Is the Little Drummer Boy in the Bible?
The song is sweet, reverent, and imaginative, but, no, the little drummer boy is not in the Bible. The Bible gives us highlights of many events throughout history, but it leaves a lot more to the imagination. For example, when the Bible lists genealogies, it skips over decades full of details in each person’s life ( Matthew 1; 1 Chronicles 1 ).
What is the origin of the song Little Drummer Boy?
The Little Drummer Boy. "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.
What are the lyrics to the Little Drummer Boy?
“I played my best for Him, Then He smiled at me,” the lyrics say as the drummer gives the gift of his music. ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ was written by American composer Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. It was first published with the title ‘Carol ...
What is the meaning behind Little Drummer Boy?
In the lyrics, the singer relates how, as a poor young boy, he was summoned by the Magi to the Nativity of Jesus. Without a gift for the Infant, the little drummer boy played his drum with approval from Jesus's mother, Mary, recalling, "I played my best for him" and "He smiled at me". "The Little Drummer Boy"
What is significance of The Little Drummer Boy and Christmas?
Although the "Little Drummer Boy" is often remembered for the lines that famously imitate a drum, a review of the song's lyrics reveal why it is indeed a Christmas carol. It is about the birth of Jesus Christ and the gifts presented to the newborn king on this momentous day.
Does the Bible mention drums?
The Bible mentions dozens of musical instruments of the various types; but only one percussion instrument is named—the tof, or hand-drum—even though other kinds of drum were known elsewhere in the biblical world.
What does the ox and lamb kept time mean?
To "keep time" is to keep the tempo of a song. They could "keep time" by stomping their hooves to the beat of the music, for example, or bleating on the beat.
What is the story behind the Little Drummer Boy?
According to Wikipedia, this carol was 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 ...
Who wrote the Little Drummer Boy?
"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 Nativity of Jesus
Said event is well-known, being the most-famous birthing in the history of mankind. But just to reiterate, amongst the central characters in that scene were the Three Wise Men or Magi, as they are referred to by some.
The Little Drummer Boy
Now the Wise Men are also known as having been hella rich, bringing Baby Jesus gold and fragrances – frankincense and myrrh – which are still pretty expensive in their natural form to this day. But as for the vocalist, he admits that he is but a “poor boy” with “no gift to bring” yet still desiring to ‘honor their king’, i.e. Jesus, nonetheless.
Famous Covers
Throughout the years a number of artists who are more known to us 21 st century readers have also covered this Christmas classic. And that list consists of the following:
When did the Little Drummer Boy come out?
In an interview with Music Department Chair Claire Fontijn, the College writes: Inspiration for "The Little Drummer Boy" came to Davis in 1941.
What year was the Little Drummer Boy animated?
This article is about the Christmas song. For the 1968 stop-motion animated film, see The Little Drummer Boy (TV special).
When was the song "The Little Drummer Boy" recorded?
Simeone recorded the song a third and final time in 1981 (3:08 play time), for an album, again titled The Little Drummer Boy, on the budget Holiday Records label.
Who wrote the song "The Little Drummer Boy"?
" The Little Drummer Boy " (originally known as " Carol of the Drum ") is a popular Christmas song written by the American classical music composer and teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. First recorded in 1951 by the Trapp Family Singers, the song was further popularized by a 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale;
Who sang the drummer boy?
The cast of Glee recorded a version that rose to number 31 on Billboard 's Holiday Digital Songs chart. Justin Bieber recorded a version of the song, titled "Drummer Boy", for his 2011 Christmas album Under the Mistletoe.
What is the song "The Little Drummer Boy" about?
The Little Drummer Boy is such a tender story about a boy giving what he can even if it's a meager offering. The lyrics are as follows (I'm going to leave out all the rum pum pum pums to keep more focus on the story though): Come they told me, A new born king to see.
What is the story of a little boy who is told to go see the new born King?
To summarize, a little boy is told to go see the new born king (Jesus Christ) and is told that others are bringing gifts to honor the baby. The boy confesses that he is poor and doesn't have anything to give, so he offers to play his drum. His offer is accepted by the king's mom.
What does the infant king teach us?
While it is important to be a generous giver, the infant king in this song teaches us that it is just as important to be a gracious receiver.
Is the baby's actions mentioned in one line of the song?
The baby's actions were only mentioned in one line of the song, so it's easy to overlook, but worth paying attention to in my opinion. Jesus Christ is the perfect example, and while this song is fictional, I think the portrayal of him smiling at the gift that he received is fairly true to life.
What is a little drummer boy?
The little drummer boy is a charming character in a fictional narrative. Many books, poems, and songs have been crafted that give fictional accounts of the lives of Bible characters and the time of Christ.
Who wrote the song "The Little Drummer Boy"?
Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum! That line has become synonymous with the Christmas season as part of the beloved carol “The Little Drummer Boy.” The song is believed to have been written by Katherine K. Davis, and it was first recorded in 1951. The lyrics are in the first person, and the speaker is a little drummer boy at the manger scene who had nothing to give baby Jesus but his drum solo. The song is sweet, reverent, and imaginative, but, no, the little drummer boy is not in the Bible.
Is the drummer boy in the Bible?
The song is sweet, reverent, and imaginative, but, no, the little drummer boy is not in the Bible. The Bible gives us highlights of many events throughout history, but it leaves a lot more to the imagination. For example, when the Bible lists genealogies, it skips over decades full of details in each person’s life ( Matthew 1; 1 Chronicles 1 ).
Is it possible to have a little boy with a drum who played a song for Jesus?
Such works of art can be helpful in revealing what life in those days might have been like, but they are not to be taken as fact. However possible it may be, the existence of a little boy with a drum who played a song for Jesus is very unlikely.
Did drummer boys visit Jesus?
Whether or not a little drummer boy ever visited Jesus in the manger is not told to us. There were naturally many people who interacted with Jesus about whom the Bible is silent, and the silence of Scripture fuels the imagination of some. But there is not a hint of a little drummer boy in Scripture, and there are no biblical grounds for believing he was at the manger. The little drummer boy is a charming character in a fictional narrative.
There Was No Drummer Boy at the Bethlehem Birthplace
If you’re the kind of person who responds to “We Three Kings of Orient Are” with “Actually, the Bible doesn’t say how many…and they weren’t actually kings…” then you especially are meant to despise “The Little Drummer Boy.”
Do You Bang Your Drum, Too?
I guess I resonate with that song because I’ve so often found myself doing just what he’s doing. Banging my drums the best I can, thinking that I need to be found worthy on the basis of my gifts.
