Little Drummer Boy - chords, tab and comments


This is originally a Czech tune, in 1941 translated into english by Katherine Davis. Henry Oronati and Harry Simeone both credited, because of significant arrangement ... the first gave it to the latter, because the first one's record company refused it (!) and master crooner Bing Crosby made it a standard Christmas Choral in 1958. In 1982, he rerecorded it in a "planned happening" with master glam rocker David Bowie. Two master voices then performed an unforgettable version.
The song is a little bit difficult. Mainly, it's a plain tango rhythm ... one, twothreefour; one,twothreefour; but it's punctuated. I can't figure it out for you. Listen to some various versions. I've even heard Johnny Cash sing this, but *his* voice could cripple any too complicated song to be humming and easy. Rum pa pum pum!
A                      Asus4        A 
come they told me : pa rum pum pum pum 
A                           Asus4        A 
a new born king to see : pa rum pum pum pum  
A                                           E   E7 
our finest gifts we bring : pa rum pum pum pum  
         A         C#m     A7         D                 
to lay before the king : pa rum pum pum pum 
Bm           A   F#m         E  E7 
rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum 
E7     A              Asus4   A 
so to honor Him : pa rum pum pum pum 
E7       A 
when we come 
A major
A
A seventh
A7
A suspended four
Asus4
E major
E
E seventh
E7
D major
D
C sharp minor
C#m
B minor
Bm
F sharp minor
F#m