Lyrics
Verse 1
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
Our 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
Verse 2
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?
Verse 3
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
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Meaning & Inspiration
This Christmas carol is told from the viewpoint of a poor boy who is invited to see the newborn King. The first verse opens with "Come, they told me," and it describes others bringing their "finest gifts" to lay before him, while the rhythmic "pa-rum pum pum pum" imitates a drum beat that runs through the whole piece.
The second verse is the emotional turn. The boy admits "I have no gift to bring / That's fit to give our King," and then asks if he may "play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum, on my drum." Having nothing valuable to offer, he offers the one skill he has.
In the final verse Mary nods, the ox and lamb "kept time," and the child "smiled at me." The story is a legend rather than a gospel account, but it carries a theme found in Scripture: an honest gift given from limited means is welcome, and worship does not depend on wealth or status.
Related Scripture
- Luke 2:7 Mary gives birth to her firstborn son and lays him in a manger.
- Mark 12:43-44 Jesus says the poor widow, who gave all she had, gave more than the rest.