Carol Of The Drum

Year: 1941

Written By: Katherine Davis

• Purchase / Download
• Watch & listen to videos
• Lyrics
• Rate this song
• Leave a comment

'Carol of The Drum' is the original name of what was to become 'Little Drummer Boy'. It was written in 1941 by the composer Katherine Davis and was based on what is thought to be a traditional Czech carol. The song tells the story of a little boy who finds himself at the scene of Jesus's birth and plays his drum as a gift to the infant.

'Carol of The Drum' appears more frequently as 'Little Drummer Boy' but there have been some famous musicians who retained the original name. The Trapp Family Singers, who were the inspiration for the movie the Sound of Music, recorded 'Carol of the Drum' in 1955. Acclaimed film composer John Williams joined up with the Boston Pops orchestra in 1990 to record a version of 'Carol of The Drum' on their 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas' record. In 1993 Diana Ross travelled to Vienna to record a live Christmas album, which was released on DVD, with 2 of the great tenors Placido Domingo and José Carreras. With Carreras by her side their 'Carol of The Drum' was a sumptuous affair with full choir and orchestral backing. Three years later acclaimed composer Anthony Newman released an album with the Choral Guild of Atlanta called 'Joy of Christmas' which included a typically joyous rendition of 'Carol of the Drum'.