Little Drummer Boy was written in 1941 by American composer Katherine Kennicott Davis, first titled Carol of the Drum. Its story of a poor boy playing his drum for the newborn baby has made it a gentle Christmas favorite around the world.
This is the instrumental version, with no vocals, so the steady, marching pa-rum-pum-pum-pum melody carries on its own. It's ideal as backing for a school choir, a nativity play or a classroom performance, and handy for practicing the tune at home before adding voices.
Want to sing along with the words? Hear the full Little Drummer Boy, or browse more Christmas instrumental songs.
