From the recording For The Faithful - At Christmas!
Originally known as "Carol of the Drum," "The Little Drummer Boy" is a popular Christmas song written by the classical American composer and teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis in1941. It was first recorded in 1951 by the Trapp Family Singers and was further popularized by a 1958 recording by Harry Simeone Chorale.
In the lyrics, the singer narrates how as a poor young boy, he was ordered by the Magi to the Nativity of Jesus. Without a gift for the Infant, the little drummer boy played his drum with support from Jesus's mother, Mary, remembering, "I played my best for him" and "He smiled at me."
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Lyrics
Come thy told me
Pa rum pum pum-pum
A newborn 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 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