The Little Drummer Boy

· by MercyMe

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Lyrics

(D)Come,

they told me, pa (G)rum pum pum (D)pum,

a new born King to see, pa (G)rum pum pum (D)pum.

Our fin est gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum,

to lay be fore the King, pa (D7)rum pum pum (G)pum, rum pum pum (D)pum, rum pum pum (A)pum.

(D)So

to hon or Him, pa (G)rum pum pum (D)pum,

(Em)when we (D)come.

(D)Lit

tle Ba by, pa (G)rum pum pum (D)pum,

I am a poor boy too, pa (G)rum pum pum (D)pum.

I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum,

that’s fit to give the King, pa (D7)rum pum pum (G)pum, rum pum pum (D)pum, rum pum pum (A)pum.

(D)Shall

I play for You, pa (G)rum pum pum (D)pum,

(Em)on my (D)come.

(D)drum?

Shall I play

for you?

Shall I play

for You?

Mar y (Bm)looked at me and nod ded, and the ox and lamb kept time.

Oh, I played my drum for Him.

Oh, I played my best for Christ.

I played my best for Christ.

Then

He smiled at me.

The Little Drummer Boy by MercyMe — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “The Little Drummer Boy” by MercyMe 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 D at 72 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is "The Little Drummer Boy" 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 "The Little Drummer Boy"?: 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.
How many chords does "The Little Drummer Boy" use?: Just 8 chords: A, Bm, D, D7, Dsus2, Dsus4, Em, G. Take it one section at a time.
What other MercyMe songs work for kids?: Try "FLAWLESS", "GRACE GOT YOU", "GREATER". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.