[General] Christian Song-Little Drummer Boy

[thedaffodils]

Hi! Could someone please intrepret this lyric for me? Thank you!


Q1: Who is the new born King? Does it refer to Jesus here? If I am right, why is Jesus referred to the King?

Q2: What does 'ox and lame kept time' mean?

Q3: Is there any metaphor for the drum? I think it means the celebration of Jesus's birth. Am I right?

Little Drummer Boy: Lyrics

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 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 the 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.

Little Drummer Boy lyrics

[Anglika]

Originally Posted by thedaffodils

Hi! Could someone please intrepret this lyric for me? Thank you!


Q1: Who is the new born King? Does it refer to Jesus here? If I am right, why is Jesus referred to the King? Yes, it does. He was both "King of the Jews" by virtue of his descent from Kind David, and God.

Q2: What does 'ox and lame kept time' mean? Ox and lamb keep time = beat out the rhythm as the drummer boy plays on his drum.

Q3: Is there any metaphor for the drum? I think it means the celebration of Jesus's birth. Am I right? Not that I am aware of. The carol is simply the expression that all bring to the Lord what they can, in this case the drumming beat which is all the boy can offer. He is rewarded by the child smiling.



Little Drummer Boy lyrics

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[BobK]

Originally Posted by thedaffodils

Hi! Could someone please intrepret this lyric for me? Thank you!


Q1: Who is the new born King? Does it refer to Jesus here? If I am right, why is Jesus referred to the King?
Yes. He is called the King of lots of things - "King of All", "King of Heaven", "King of Glory"... Various accounts of his crucifixion say that Pontius Pilate (Roman) had written "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" (the Jews were not happy with this, but it's why - on some crucifixes - you will see the notice "INRI" (Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judaeorum)

Q2: What does 'ox and lamB kept time' mean?
A Christian tradition (with not much documentary basis) has Jesus being born in a stable surrounded by farm animals).


Q3: Is there any metaphor for the drum? I think it means the celebration of Jesus's birth. Am I right?

I think it's part of the 'royal' idea, but also that of fighting for what is right - so the idea is of a procession both towards the King (going to join him) and also of the King leading an army (of what has been called 'the Church Militant'). And there's also the idea of celebration, as you say.



Little Drummer Boy lyrics

That's my interpretation anyway; metaphors mean many things to many people.



b

[thedaffodils]

Anglika and BobK,

Thank you very much for your replies. I've understood.

Have a good day!