The Little Drummer Boy chords
Faith HillSong Keys: A Major → E Major → B Major
Time Signature: 2/2
Tempo: 74 bpm
Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Intermediate
Guitar Chords: A, E, D, B, F#
Play-Along Video & Chord Charts
Play-Along Video
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The Little Drummer Boy
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
Intro: 2/2 ‖ Hum... | Hum... | Hum... | Hum... ‖
A
1. Come they told me Pa rum pum pum pum
A
Our new born King to see Pa rum pum pum pum
E
Our fin-est gifts we bring Pa rum pum pum pum
E A D
To lay be-fore the King Pa rum pum pum pum
A E
Rum pum pum pum Rum pum pum pum
A
So to ho-nor Him Pa rum pum pum pum
E A
When we come
‖ Hum | Hum pum pum | Pum pum | Hum pum pum | Pum pum ‖
A
2. Ba-by Je-sus Pa rum pum pum pum
A
I am a poor boy too Pa rum pum pum pum
E
I have no gift to bring Pa rum pum pum pum
E A D
That's fit to give our King Pa rum pum pum pum
A E
Rum pum pum pum Rum pum pum pum
A
Shall I play for you Pa rum pum pum pum
E A
On my drum
| Pum pum | Rum pa ra ra Pum pum |Pa ra ra Pum |
| Rum pa ra ra Pum pum | Pa ra ra Pum |... key change
E
3. Ma-ry nodded Pa rum pum pum pum
E
The ox and lamb kept time Pa rum pum pum pum
B
I played my drum for Him Pa rum pum pum pum
B E A
I played my best for Him Pa rum pum pum pum
E B
Rum pum pum pum Rum pum pum pum
| Pum Pa ra ra Pum Pa ra ra | Pum Pa ra ra Pum Pa ra ra | Pum |... key change
B
Then He smiled at me Pa rum pum pum pum
F# B F# B
Me and my drum...| Pum pum | Me and my drum...| Hum | Hum | Rum...
rit...- Reading the Song Charts - a closer look at reading the song charts on this site
- Chord Transposer - a better understanding of how it works
- Christmas Carols Page - Easier version - no key changes - C Major
Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: A Major - 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#)
- Key Signature: E Major - 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#)
- Key Signature: B Major - 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#)
- Time Signature: 2/2 — Two half-note beats per measure
- Tempo: Moderately slow
- Metronome: h = 74 (h represents a half-note)
- Voice Range: F#3 - B4
- The song starts in the key of A Major with a key change to E Major going into the 3rd verse, and a final key change to B Major going into the last 2 lines of the 3rd verse.
- There is a lot of 'Pa rum pum pum pumming' going on in this song, and we have included it in various parts of the song where it helps to keep track of bar counts, etc. It's almost a cross between African Traditional and Gregorian Chant and works beautifully in this song.
- We have kept the chords to a minimum so that most of you can play along. The harder chords include F# and B. If you can't play barre chords, use the B & F# Major alternatives in the charts above. The open F# is played exactly the same as the open F, except you begin the chord on the 2nd fret instead of the first.
- Alternatively, if you are finger-picking, you could play the F# exactly the same way as an open E chord shape except you move up 2 frets and make sure you don't play strings 1, 2, and 6. The E chord is written as 022100. The F# chord is written as x443xx. You probably wouldn't strum this chord as you would most likely play some unwanted notes.
- If you want to play in 4/4 time with 4 quarter-note beats per measure, the tempo would be set at 148 bpm with the metronome sounding on every beat. However, using 74 bpm in 2/2 time may be preferable, as it better captures the song's somberfeel... the choice is yours.
- 'rit' is short for ritardando, which means to slow down. You will find this on the last line of the song.
- This is an excellent rendition by Faith Hill and her amazing choir.
Song Details:
- Songwriters: Katherine Kennicott Davis
- Date: 1941
- Modern Arrangement: Henry Onorati & Harry Simeone
- Date: 1958
- Lyrics Begin: Come they told me, Pa rum pum pum pum,
- Genre: Christmas Music, Sacred Carol, Folk Ballad
- Featured Artists: Faith Hill
- Album: Joy to the World
Recorded: 2005 – 2008
Released: September 30, 2008
