The Little Drummer Boy
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
To lay before the King
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum
rum 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 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
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
By Katherine Kennicott Davis (1941)
This Christmas song has been one of my favorite Christmas songs for as long as I can remember. I look forward to hearing it on the radio every Christmas season. And I never get tired of hearing it and singing it.
It is often thought of as a child’s song, and I have never heard it sang in church, other than in a children’s Christmas program once or twice.
Over the years, there have been very many versions of this song sang. It has been sang as a country song, ballad, and all the way into heavy metal rock music style. Although I do not like the idea of non-Christians singing any Christmas song, I still love the song in many of the various versions.
You may wonder why I like it so much. It is because of the reality of truth in it, despite the ox and lamb keeping time. I do not really believe the events in this song actually occurred in Bethlehem when Jesus was born, but the heart of it can happen today.
Many people come before God as though He was their best buddy, or the Great Man Upstairs. They see Jesus as just a great teacher.
Others come before God as though they have earned every right to do so. They do not see Jesus as the King. They do not see Him as the One who created everything there is, the one in absolute control and power.
In this song, the boy is invited to go before this new great king. He recognizes that this little baby is The King, the King of Kings. It is not told how he knows this or why he knows it, but he does.
He also recognizes that he does not have anything to give the King that is worth giving to someone so great. He has only one thing, and that is his little drum and his ability to play it. His talents and abilities were all that he could give this King.
He is given permission to play for the King, and so he does.
As a human and a believer in Jesus, I do not have anything that is worthy to give the King of the universe. God already has everything I have and much more, so He does not need my things.
What I can give Him is myself and my talents. Every ability that I have can be given to God to be used by Him for His glory.
Jesus told the disciples that their job was to go and make more disciples. That job description has not changed since for any believer.
I need to use my talents for His glory. I need to use everything I have the ability to do, to spread the gospel message to this dying world.
When I do that, God will look down on me and smile, as the baby Jesus does in the song. In the end God will be able to say “well done, good and faithful servant”.
What are you doing with the talents God has blessed you with?
Are you using them for yourself?
Or for His glory?
Listen to one of the versions of this song that I really enjoy: The Little Drummer Boy
I’ve always loved this one too, Tom. We may not have much to give God, but he accepts even the smallest things when they come from a heart of love and adoration!
Amen! He is such a good God!
Excellent, Tom! This is really wonderful and spot on! The Lord was touching my heart about this song as well, as I enjoyed it the other day. I was going to write about it, but you have covered it quite nicely! Thanks!
Thank you. Glad it touched your heart also. Have a Merry Christmas!
Amen, beautifully written. Sometimes I see God smiling while we work at the talents He has given, for His glory. Each one of us marching to beat of the drum He has placed within us.
Thank you. I agree.