Little Drummer Boy
I played my best for him...then he smiled at me
The meaning and history of ‘Little Drummer Boys’
For centuries drummers have been used on the battlefield to keep time, regulate and maintain the marching of troops, and provide different combinations of drum beats to communicate with troops from long distances.
To do their job well, these drummers needed to be near the front lines of military action. This required them to be brave…and incredibly vulnerable.
“The Little Drummer Boy” is generally thought to be written by American composer Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941, originally with the title “Carol of the Drums.” Others, however, believe that Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone penned the lyrics to the song. It seems to have been based on a Czech melody, though some believe it to have been inspired by the old French Christmas carol, “Patapan.”
In the first verse, we are introduced to the young drummer, though he has not yet been identified. In the context of the song, people are bringing their “finest gifts” to Jesus, the newborn King. The young drummer is invited to come near. In doing so we see that the drummer carries the attributes of the romanticized drummer boy leading the troops in wartime—brave and vulnerable.
“The Little Drummer Boy” been recorded by many artists over many years. From Bing Crosby to David Bowie, The Jackson Five to Carrie Underwood, and Pentatonix to bands such as King and Country.
In the second verse, we learn that this drummer boy is poor and has no fine, expensive, or shiny gift to offer—nothing worthy of a king, or so he thinks.
“Shall I play for you?” he asks, as if to say, “It’s the only thing I have to offer…there is nothing else.”
The high point of the song comes in the third verse, as Mary nods her approval of the drummer’s request to give the only thing he had to give. The drummer boy begins to play. The oxen and lambs, who also have nothing else to give, join in by keeping time.
The drummer boy gives what he has.
The drummer plays to the best of his ability.
He was brave.
He was vulnerable.
And the baby Jesus smiled.
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