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“Little Drummer Boy” is a popular Christmas hymn by Katherine K. Davis, that also goes by the title of “Carol of the Drum.”
On the 2nd Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of BETHLEHEM. The candle represents peace and the journey to Bethlehem and preparations to accept and receive Christ.
Do you want peace this Christmas? Christ is the PRINCE OF PEACE who has come to save this world and bring peace to one and all!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
For a refresher course on what Advent is, check out my advent playlist!
Suggested Reading: Advent Playlist: 25 Christmas Hymns
Advent Playlist – 25 Christmas Hymns
1. A Strange Way to Save the World
3. Angels From the Realms of Glory
4. Christ is the World’s True Light
5. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
7. E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come
8. Gesu Bambino
9. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
10 – I Wonder as I Wander
11 – Jesus Christ The Apple Tree
Day 13. Carol of the Drum (Little Drummer Boy)
Little Drummer Boy is a popular Christmas hymn by Katherine K. Davis, that also goes by the title of Carol of the Drum.
According to Wellesley College:
Inspiration for “The Little Drummer Boy” came to Davis in 1941. “[One day], when she was trying to take a nap, she was obsessed with this song that came into her head and it was supposed to have been inspired by a French song, ‘Patapan,’” explained Fontijn. “And then ‘patapan’ translated in her mind to ‘pa-rum-pum-pum,’ and it took on a rhythm.” The result was “The Little Drummer Boy.”
The song was first recorded by The von Trapp Family Singers (known as the inspiration for The Sound of Music) in 1951, 10 years after it was written by Davis.
The Little Drummer Boy Lyrics –
Come they 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 honour Him, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum, can I play
Little Drummer Boy play your drum for the King
Play your drum little baby
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
Me and my drum, play little boy
Tell me can I play for you?
I’m wonderin’ can I play my drum for you?
Play your 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
When I played my drum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Listen to me play for my King
Can I play for You
Play my best for You
Pa rum pum pum pum
I don’t have much to give
But can I play for You
Play my best for You
Pa rum pum pum pum
I stand before You with my drum
Can I play for You
Play my best for You
Pa rum pum pum pum
Wonder can I play my best
Can I play for You
Play my best for You
Pa rum pum pum pum
Your drum may be Your praise
Can I play for You
Play my best for You
Wanna play my drum
Pa rum pum pum pum
Can I play for You
Play my best for You
Pa rum pum pum pum
Can I play
Can I play for You
Play my best for You
Pa rum pum pum pum
The gift that I have I bring to You
Can I play for You
Play my best for You
Pa rum pum pum pum
Wanna play my beat
My beat says praise
When I play for you
My beat says honor
My beat says glory
Pa rum pum pum pum
Somebody help me play for the King
My beat says praise
When I play I use my gift for You
My beat says honor
My beat says glory
I wanna play for the King
Pa rum pum pum pum
My beat says praise
When I play for you my hands are raised
My beat says honor
My beat says glory
Pa rum pum pum pum
Do you best for Him
Play your drum
Scripture Reading for Day 13 of Advent –
Luke 21:1-4
Jesus1 looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Isaiah 40:9-11
You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Advent Playlist – Days 14 to 25
17. O Holy Night
18. O Little Town of Bethlehem
19. Once in Royal David’s City
21. Silent Night
23. There Stood in Heaven a Linden Tree
24. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
25. Whence is That Goodly Fragrance Flowing?
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What is your favorite Christmas Hymn or way to celebrate Advent?
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