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| Image courtesy of wikimedia.org |
The carol "The Little Drummer Boy" is believed to
have been written by Katherine Kennecott Davis an American composer and teacher
who studied folk music.
According to blogger and historical fiction writer, Heidi
Chiavaroli, “Many of the folktales [Davis] learned of revolved around gifts
given to the baby Jesus by the poor.
With America in economic turmoil during the Great Depression, these stories of seemingly unworthy presents given from the heart meant more than they ever had before. Parents made presents for their children out of leftover pieces of twine, wood, and ribbon. Millions couldn't even afford a Christmas card, so gifts from the heart were all they could offer to family and friends.”
With America in economic turmoil during the Great Depression, these stories of seemingly unworthy presents given from the heart meant more than they ever had before. Parents made presents for their children out of leftover pieces of twine, wood, and ribbon. Millions couldn't even afford a Christmas card, so gifts from the heart were all they could offer to family and friends.”
In 1941, Davis penned a heartfelt song about a poor child
coming to witness the birth of the Savior and entitled it “Carol of the Drum”. Davis
intended the drum rhythm for rehearsals only, to help her chorus harmonize. However,
these “temporary” notes were so well-liked they became permanent.
In 1955 “Carol of the Drum” was performed by the Trapp
Family Singers, the family upon whose story the “Sound of Music” is based. Three
years later, Harry Simeone altered the song a bit and re-named it “The Little
Drummer Boy”. In 1958, when The Harry Simeone Chorale released it as a record,
the carol became an internationally loved hit and gained Simeone distinction as
a gifted arranger, conductor, and composer.
“Little Drummer Boy” has been recorded many times since by a
diverse variety of individuals and groups from Bing Crosby to Jimmy Hendrix, from
Mannheim Steamroller to Bad Religion, and many, many others.
Who can resist the heart-strumming rhythm and the
soul-touching words of this twentieth century carol? So many of us relate to
the plight expressed by the little drummer boy—“I have no gift to bring.” After
all, what could we offer the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?
Like the drummer boy, all we can offer Jesus is ourselves—whether
we are a small boy with a drum, an orator with a platform, an accountant with a
calculator, or a mother with five children. Jesus can use us and our gifts to
share His Good News with others.
If a little boy’s pa
rum pum pum pum can touch the hearts of millions and spread the story of our
Savior’s birth, then how far might our efforts reach? As long as what we do is to honor Him, there’s no limit to what
God can accomplish through us.
Come! How can you use the “drum” God has gifted you with to honor Him?
For more
information, visit http://hubpages.com/hub/History-of-Christmas-Carols-Little-Drummer-Boy.
Merry Christmas!
Pam
©2013 Pamela D. Williams
