Pat-a-pan (Willie, Take Your Little Drum)

by Bernard de la Monnoye

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Lyrics

Wil lie, take your lit tle drum, Rob in bring your flute, and come.

Aren’t they fun to play up on?

Tu re lu re lu, pat a pat a pan; when you play your fife and drum, how can an y one be glum?

When the men of old en days gave the King of Kings their praise, they had pipes to play up on.

Tu re lu re lu, pat a pat a pan; and al so the drums they’d play, full of joy, on Christ mas Day.

Pat-a-pan (Willie, Take Your Little Drum) by Bernard de la Monnoye — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Pat-a-pan (Willie, Take Your Little Drum)” by Bernard de la Monnoye in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of Eb at 176 BPM, a slightly more challenging arrangement — practice each phrase slowly first.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Same song, different levels

Very Easyarrangement

Frequently asked questions

Is "Pat-a-pan (Willie, Take Your Little Drum)" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Pat-a-pan (Willie, Take Your Little Drum)"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.