The Little Drummer Boy
Synopsis
Synopsis
The lyrics tell the apocryphal story of a poor young boy who, unable to afford a gift for the infant Jesus, plays his drum for the newborn with the Virgin Mary's approval. Miraculously, the baby, although a newborn, seems to understand, manages to refrain from an outburst of crying (as one might expect of a drum being played near a newborn infant) and smiles at the boy in gratitude. The story is somewhat similar to an old twelfth-century legend retold by Anatole France as Le Jongleur de Notre Dame (French: Our Lady's Juggler), which was adapted into an opera in 1902 by Jules Massenet. In the French legend, however, a juggler juggles before the statue of the Virgin Mary, and the statue, according to which version of the legend one reads, either smiles at him or throws him a rose (or both, as in the 1984 made-for-television film).
Television special
In 1968, Rankin-Bass produced a stop motion animated Christmas television special based on The Little Drummer Boy. The film names the drummer boy Aaron and expands the song's storyline to include events before the birth of Jesus. It stars the voices of Greer Garson as "Our Storyteller" and Jose Ferrer as Ben Haramad; it also features the Vienna Boys' Choir singing the title song. It aired for many years on NBC (under original sponsorship of the American Gas Association (AGA)) before entering syndication. It currently airs in the U.S. on the ABC Family cable channel.
A television sequel, titled The Little Drummer Boy, Book II, premiered in 1976, also on NBC, again sponsored by the AGA, again narrated by Greer Garson, and also currently airing on ABC Family. NBC stopped airing the program after many complaints of Anti-Arabism.[citation needed]
Variations and covers
The popularity of this song is to be seen by the quantity of cover versions of The Little Drummer Boy - a total of over 220 versions in seven languages are known, in all kinds of music genres. The song has been performed by classical orchestras, choral groups (both classical and popular), easy-listening stylists, rappers, rock groups and more.
Rosemary Clooney recorded a version of the song.
Joan Jett recorded a version of this song
The Trapp Family Singers, whose life story provided some inspiration for Rodgers and Hammerstein in their musical The Sound of Music, recorded a song titled "Carol of the Drum" (identified on the Decca record jacket as a "Czech carol") prior to their 1955 retirement. This song has the same melody as "The Little Drummer Boy", and the text is the same as that given in the main article except for the line "The ox and lamb kept time". The Trapp Family Singers recording has "The ox and ass kept time", instead.
In 1958, the Harry Simeone recording rose to #13 on the pop charts, despite its late issue date in November. Jim Jensen and John Cahill of KCRG in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, made it their pick-of-the-week as soon as they heard it, becoming the first deejays in this country to promote the recording as a pop hit.
In 1962, The Ray Conniff Singers recorded the song as part of a medley with "Jolly Old St. Nicholas", for their album We Wish You a Merry Christmas. In 1967 the "Little Drummer Boy" portion of the medley was released as a single, paired with Conniff's 1959 recording of "White Christmas". Ray Conniff have also recored just little drummer boy song. This version was also heard playing in the background of a recording of Myra Hindley and Ian Brady torturing to death 16 year old Lesley Ann Dowley in 1966 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/chilling-recording-shocked-the-court-609091.html.
In 1962 , Bing Crosby recorded his solo version for the Warner Brothers LP "I Wish You A Merry Christmas", since repackaged for CD by Capitol and RCA.
In 1964, Marlene Dietrich recorded a German version of the song ("Der Trommelmann").
In 1965, Vince Guaraldi did a jazz piano arrangement titled "My Little Drum", for his soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas.
In 1965, Nana Mouskouri recorded a French version of the song ("L'enfant au tambour").
The Brady Bunch covered the song on their 1970 album Christmas with The Brady Bunch.
In 1972, it was featured on the television special Christmas at the White House. The song was reportedly the favorite Christmas carol of President Richard Nixon[citation needed].
In 1977, one of the more popular versions of this song was recorded for a Crosby Christmas special: "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" duet by the unusual pairing of Bing Crosby and David Bowie. This version reappears annually in holiday music rotations.
In 1981, a cover of this song by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts concluded the album I Love Rock N' Roll when it was released in December. However, after the holiday season passed, the track was replaced by another song.
"Little Drummer Boy" / "6 Years of Boney M. Hits (Boney M. on 45)" is a single by German band Boney M., taken off their 1981 album Christmas Album. "Little Drummer Boy" - the last song to feature dancer Bobby Farrell - peaked at #20 in the German charts. "Little Drummer Boy" was only released as a single in Germany, Canada and Scandinavia.
In 1984, an Italian version was recorded by I Cavalieri del Re, an Italian band that specialised in cartoon's songs.
In 1987, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band covered this song. His version very noticeably excludes all religious names or references (e.g. "then, he nodded" instead of "Mary nodded" ... "little baby, I am a poor boy too" instead of "baby Jesus, I am a poor boy too." This was the version used by Johnny Cash and Neil Young on Ben Keith's Seven Gates album (1994).
In 1996, Apocalyptica covered the song as a single.
In 1988, Mannheim Steamroller included a version on their second Christmas album, A Fresh Aire Christmas.
In 1988, The Christian Rock Band Whiteheart did a version on CHRISTMAS (1988 Sparrow), a Sparrow Artists Christmas album.
In 1991, the Italian version by Al Bano & Romina Power titled "Il Piccolo Tamburino".
In 1991, a Parody version by The Boys (recording as "The Yobs") titled "Rub-a-Dum-Dum".
In 1991, jazz guitarist Tuck Andress recorded an instrumental version on his album "Hymns, Carols and Songs about Snow".
In 1991, Take 6 covered The Little Drummer Boy in their album "He Is Christmas (Take 6 album)".
In 1993, Episode 246 of the Animaniacs featured the Warners following the star of Bethlehem to the birthplace of Jesus. They have no gift, so Wakko plays the drums and the Warners sing the song "Little Drummer Boy"
In 1994, The Dandy Warhols recorded the first of two versions of the song. The first was released on Tim/Kerr Records. The second version was released by Capitol Records in 1997.
In 1994, Kenny G covered an acoustic version of the song on his "Miracles: The Holiday Album".
In 1994, a version by RuPaul was released on Tommy Boy records, and bubbled under the Hot 100 charts at #113.
In 1995, the alternative rock band, Jars of Clay recorded the song on their EP "Drummer Boy." They recorded the song the second time on their full length "Christmas Songs (album)" in 1997.
In 1997, The Toasters covered the song on the Moon Ska Records compilation "Christma-Ska"
In 1998, Alicia Keys recorded a version titled "Little Drummer Girl" for Jermaine Dupri Presents Twelve Soulful Nights Of Christmas. This version offered modified lyrics and music. It was recorded before her label change and subsequent hit "Fallin'".
In 1998, German punk band Die Toten Hosen published the album Wir warten auf's Christkind under the pseudonym Die Roten Rosen. Among other Christmas songs, there is also a version of "The Little Drummer Boy".
In 1999, Duluth, Minnesota band Low published the EP Christmas, a collection of assorted Christmas classics, including a version of "Little Drummer Boy".
In 1999, The West Wing's first christmas episode, "In Excelsis Deo", featured a boys' choir singing the song over a funeral service. The episode went on to win multiple Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Aaron Sorkin and Rick Cleveland and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series by Richard Schiff.
In 2000, the song The Little Drummer Boy was recorded by Yolanda Adams for her seventh studio album Christmas With Yolanda Adams.
In 2000, Charlotte Church covered The Little Drummer Boy in her Christmas album "Dream a Dream".
In 2001, Destiny's Child covered the song in their holiday album "8 Days of Christmas".
In 2002, a Parody version by Bob Rivers titled "The Little Hooters Girl" was released as part of his White Trash Christmas album.
In 2003, King Diamond's album The Puppet Master had an extract from The Little Drummer Boy in the song Christmas.
In 2003, Whitney Houston and her daughter did a cover of the song "Little Drummer boy" on Houston's album "One Wish: The Holiday Album"
In 2003, The Blind Boys of Alabama released a version of The Little Drummer boy (with vocals by Michel Franti) on their album Go Tell it On the Mountain.
In 2004 Art Paul Schlosser released a version of the song called "Kazoo Boy" on his album The ABCs of Art Paul Schlosser World. Schlosser's version uses Kazoo instead drum on the "rum pum pum pum" parts.
In 2004, Jessica Simpson did a cover of Little Drummer Boy in her album Rejoyce: The Christmas Album
In 2004, Vanessa L. Williams did a cover of "The Little Drummer Boy" in her album Silver & Gold (Vanessa Williams album)
In 2005 Boyz II Men recorded their rendition of "Little Drummer Boy" on their Christmas album Winter/Reflections. http://www.imeem.com/seizethemoment88/music/ot0oo8M7/boyz-ii-men-little-drummer-boy/
In 2005, Bryan Duncan and the NehoSoul Band recorded the song on their A NehoSoul Christmas album.
In 2005, Dwight Schrute briefly performed the song in the pilot episode of The Office. In 2006, Angela performs the song as karaoke in Episode 39.
In 2006, Alfio recorded a version in English and the Sicilian dialect of Italian for the Christmas Edition of his debut album Tranquillita.
In 2006, Celtic Woman did a version of the song in their Christmas show, in a duet with Orla Fallon and Chloe Agnew.
In 2006, Gladys Knight and the Saints Unified Voices choir released a version of The Little Drummer Boy on their Grammy-Award winning album, A Christmas Celebration.
In 2006, Sufjan Stevens released a cover of The Little Drummer Boy on the EP Joy: Songs for Christmas - Vol. IV, which is part of his boxed set, Songs for Christmas.
In 2007 Featured in a Dutch translation by Jan Rot on the Christmas album 'Vrolijk Kerstfeest' by An + Jan.
In 2008 The Almost(feat.Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie) recorder a cover for their acoustic Ep 'No Gift To Bring'(Tooth And Nail Records)
In 2008, Terry Wogan & Aled Jones recorded a cover of the duet Little Drummer Boy / Peace on Earth (originally performed by Bing Crosby and David Bowie in 1977) on the charity album Bandaged. After a brief campaign amongst listeners of BBC Radio 2, instigated by Chris Evans to get the song released as a single for Christmas in aid of Children In Need, it was released as a single on 8 December 2008, reaching #3 in the UK Top 40.
In 2008, Doug Pinnick, George Lynch, Billy Sheehan & Simon Phillips on the 2008 album We Wish you a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year.
In 2008, St Agnes Fountain (Chris Leslie of Fairport Convention, Julie Matthews, David Hughes & Chris While) recorded a version under the title The Carol Of The Drum.
Raphael performed a version with the Spanish title of "El tamborilero" ("The drummer").
In 2008 Faith Hill covered the song on her Joy To The World album.
In 2009 Sean Kingston covered the song for the Christmas album A Very Special Christmas Vol.7
Litli Trommuleikarinn is the title of the Icelandic version.
Robert Wendel arranged an instrumental adaptation in the style of Ravel's Bolro which was (also?) recorded by Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops on the CD "Christmas Time Is Here".
In 2009 Lukas Rossi covered this song and made it available for download on his web page.
Bob Dylan covered the song for his 2009 Christmas album Christmas in the Heart.
In 2009 Hans-Peter Lindstrm made a 40 minutes electronic version, available as a limited CD and download.
Notes
^ Boughton, Harrison Charles (1977). Katherine K. Davis: life and work. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Thesis, University of Missouri, reprint by University Microfilms.
^ a b Leigh, Spencer (2005-03-05). "Harry Simeone: Populariser of 'The Little Drummer Boy'". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/harry-simeone-527247.html. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
^ Music You (Possibly) Won't Hear Anyplace Else: Carol of the Little Drummer Boy
^ "Little Drummer Warners". CNET Networks, Inc.. http://www.tv.com/animaniacs/little-drummer-warners/episode/241185/summary.html. Retrieved 2008-12-14.
^ "Bandaged: The Album"
External links
Television Special
The Little Drummer Boy at Keyframe - the Animation Resource
The Little Drummer Boy at the Internet Movie Database
Lyrics to The Little Drummer Boy
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Rankin/Bass Productions
Television Specials
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Return to Oz The Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy Show The Ballad of Smokey the Bear The Cricket on the Hearth The Mouse on the Mayflower The Little Drummer Boy Frosty the Snowman The Mad, Mad, Mad Comedians Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town Here Comes Peter Cottontail The Enchanted World of Danny Kaye: The Emperor's New Clothes Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters Willie Mays and the Say-Hey Kid 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Red Baron That Girl in Wonderland 'Twas the Night Before Christmas The Year Without a Santa Claus The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow The First Easter Rabbit Frosty's Winter Wonderland Rudolph's Shiny New Year The Little Drummer Boy, Book II The Easter Bunny is Comin' To Town The Hobbit Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey The Stingiest Man in Town Jack Frost The Return of the King Pinocchio's Christmas The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold The Coneheads Wind in the Willows The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus The Flight of Dragons Santa Baby!
Theatrical Features
Willy McBean and his Magic Machine The Daydreamer The Wacky World of Mother Goose Mad Monster Party? King Kong Escapes Marco The Last Dinosaur The Bermuda Depths The Bushido Blade Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July THe Ivory Ape The Last Unicorn The Sins of Dorian Gray
Television Series
The New Adventures of Pinocchio Tales of the Wizard of Oz The King Kong Show The Smokey Bear Show The Tomfoolery Show The Reluctant Dragon and Mr. Toad Show The Jackson Five Show The Osmonds Kid Power Festival of Family Classics Thundercats Silverhawks The Comic Strip
Categories: Christmas carols | Christmas television specials | Harry Connick, Jr. songs | Burl Ives songs | Christmas songs | Bing Crosby songs | David Bowie songs | RuPaul songs | Christmas albums | Bob Dylan songsHidden categories: Articles containing French language text | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from December 2007 | Articles with unsourced statements from December 2009
by: gaga
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