Little Drummer Boy
"I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts,
for it is a love that has no exchange of payment."
- Frances Farmer
(19 Sept 1914 - 01 Aug 1970)
This song drove my late brother-in-law Miles Nowitzky (Granby HS - '50) (11 Jan 1930 - 07 May 2005) crazy. He said it played all the time; if one person wasn't singing it, another one was - as the dozen videos below will certainly bear witness. I myself always loved it, because the Epworth Choir at Trinity Methodist Church (some of y'all were members of that choir - and you know who you were!) sang it every year - and that was the very best version of all!
This one's for you, Milesy!
BONUS #1 - Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simeon Chorale, 1958
BONUS #2 - Little Drummer Boy - Johnny Mathis
BONUS #3 - Little Drummer Boy - Johnny Cash, 1970
BONUS #4 - Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby and David Bowie, 1977 - taped one month before Bing died
BONUS #5 - Little Drummer Boy - John Denver - Scenes from the original TV Classic
BONUS #6 - Little Drummer Boy - Boney M, 1981
BONUS #7 - Little Drummer Boy - Celtic Woman
BONUS #8 - Little Drummer Boy - Josh Groban
BONUS #9 - Little Drummer Boy - Faith Hill
BONUS #10 - Little Drummer Boy - Snare Drumline Encore Performance - Church of Southland, Anaheim CA, December 13, 2009
BONUS #11 - Little Drummer Boy - Sean Quigley, 2011
BONUS #12 - Little Drummer Boy - Flash Mob - the kids from Dance DImensions in Woodland Hills dancing to Justin Bieber's version, 2011
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Drummer_Boy:
"The Little Drummer Boy," originally known as "Carol of the Drum," is a popular Christmas song written by the American classical music composer/teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941.[1] It was recorded 1955 by the Trapp Family Singers[2] and further popularized by a 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale. This version was re-released successfully for several years and the song has been recorded many times since.[3]
In the lyrics the singer relates how, as a poor young boy, he was summoned by the Magi to the nativity where, without a gift for the infant Jesus, he played his drum with the Virgin Mary's approval, remembering "I played my best for Him" and "He smiled at me".
The song was originally titled "Carol of the Drum" and was published by Davis as based upon a traditional Czech carol.[4] Davis' interest was in producing material for amateur and girls' choirs: her manuscript is set as a chorale, the tune in the soprano with alto harmony, tenor and bass parts producing the "drum rhythm" and a keyboard accompaniment "for rehearsal only". It is headed "Czech Carol freely transcribed by K.K.D", these initials then deleted and replaced with "C.R.W. Robinson", a name under which Davis sometimes published.[5][6]
Although Davis did search far and wide for suitable material, the Czech original has never been identified, though the style is comparable with the Czech "Rocking Carol", a lullaby collected in the early 20th century by a Miss Jacubickova as "Hajej, nynjej" and given English words by Percy Dearmer for The Oxford Book of Carols in 1928. It appealed to the Austrian von Trapp singers, who first brought the song to wider prominence when they recorded the "Carol of the Drum" in 1955, shortly before they retired: their version was credited solely to Davis and published by Belwin-Mills.[7] In 1957 it was recorded, with a slightly altered arrangement, by The Jack Halloran Singers for a record to be released on Dot Records but the recording was not made in time for Christmas and was not released. Dot's Henry Onorati introduced the song to his friend Harry Simeone and the following year, when 20th Century Fox Records contracted him to make a Christmas album, Simeone, making further small changes to the Halloran arrangement[8] and retitling it "The Little Drummer Boy", recorded it with the Harry Simeone Chorale on the album Sing We Now of Christmas. Simeone and Onorati claimed joint composition credits with Davis.[3]
The album and the song were an enormous success, the single scoring on the U.S. music charts from 1958 to 1962. In 1963 the album was reissued under the title The Little Drummer Boy: A Christmas Festival, capitalizing on the single's popularity. The following year the album was released in stereo. In 1988, The Little Drummer Boy: A Christmas Festival was released on CD by Casablanca Records,[3] and subsequently, on Island Records.[9] Harry Simeone, who in 1964 had signed with Kapp Records, recorded a new version of "The Little Drummer Boy" in 1965 for his album O' Bambino - The Little Drummer Boy.[3]
The story depicted in the song is somewhat similar to a 12th century legend retold by Anatole France as Le Jongleur de Notre Dame (French: Our Lady's Juggler), which was adapted into an opera in 1902 by Jules Massenet. In the French legend, however, a juggler juggles before the statue of the Virgin Mary, and the statue, according to which version of the legend one reads, either smiles at him or throws him a rose (or both, as in the 1984 television film, The Juggler of Notre Dame.)...
Happy Birthday today to James Strickland ('57)!
Happy Birthday tomorrow to Durwood Adams ('57) AND the late Suzie Bauz ('63) (d. 11/03/14)!
20 - Ellen Carney Manson ('63) of SC;
21 - Ray Stinnette ('63) of VA;
22 - Kitty Norman Haskins ('57) of VA AND the late Elliott Schlosser ('63) (d. 05/27/20) AND Dottie Pegram Daniels (NNHS / George Washington HS - '64) of WV AND Harry Barritt ('64) of VA AND Dale Mueller ('64) of VA AND Bill Rash ('67) of VA;
23 - Tom Flax ('64) of VA AND Joyce Lawrence Cahoon ('65) of VA AND Holly Hill Campbell (Hampton Roads Academy - '72) of VA;
24 - James Gay ('57) AND Ann W. Hutcheson ('57) AND Malcolm Davis ('65) of VA AND Sandye Jordan Frost ('67) of NC;
The late Patsy Bloxom Meider (d. 09 Oct 2020) ('57) AND Doug Dickinson ('69) of VA!
December 18, 1939 - The Battle of the Heligoland Bight, the first major air battle of the war, took place.
December 18, 1944 - 77 B-29 Superfortress and 200 other aircraft of U.S. Fourteenth Air Force bombed Hankow, China, a Japanese supply base.
December 18, 1970 - Rapper and actor DMX was born Earl Simmons in Mount Vernon, New York.
December 18, 1970 - Basketball player Lucious Harris was born in Los Angeles, California.
December 18, 1970 - Singer-songwriter Giannis Ploutarhos was born Yannis Ploutarchos (Γιάννης Πλούταρχος) in Mavrogia, outside Orchomenos, Voiotia, Greece.
December 18, 1970 - Wrestler Rob Van Dam was born Robert Alexander Szatkowski in Battle Creek, Michigan.
December 18, 1970 - Painter Jonathan Yeo was born in London, England.
December 18, 1970 - Singer and guitarist Norman Brown was born in Shreveport, Louisiana.
"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others."
- Thomas S. Monson, 1987
(21 Aug 1927 - 02 Jan 2018)
From Jimmy Dick ('65) of FL - 12/18/19, 4:48 AM:
Good morning on Friday, exactly one week until the big event arrives. I hope all are now ready and taking time to both enjoy the beauty and the fun of the anticipation of Christmas Day while also taking time each day to marvel at God's grace and love for all of us. Be blessed, be safe and go about all that you must do in peace and love, for peace and love when practiced as God recommends can resolve all issues and problems if only we believe.
Thank you, Jimmy! Merry Christmas!
From Jean Poole Burton ('64) of RI - 12/16/19, 11:26 PM:
Thank you, Jean - as do I! Merry Christmas!
EXACTAMUNDO! Thank you, Mary! Although they neglected to mention, "Good Yule" for Druids and "Happy Festivus" for the rest (of us ), and I personally prefer to extend the salutation to what the recipient is rather than what I am, they really nailed the closing thought: Say something nice to others, be thankful for kindly gestures towards you, and quit getting so easily offended!
"… If a person says or does something that we consider offensive, our first obligation is to refuse to take offense and then communicate privately, honestly, and directly with that individual. Such an approach invites inspiration from the Holy Ghost and permits misperceptions to be clarified and true intent to be understood." (David A. Bednar, "And Nothing Shall Offend Them," Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 91, 92).
By the way, Merry Christmas, Pretty Lady!
From http://www.FlyLady.net - 12/17/11 - "Starting Again at the Beginning":
Dearest FlyLady,
I had an epiphany the other night.
You see, I used to FLY quite well in my last house. Everything had a place and with keeping up with my hot spots my house was always beautiful.
Well, at the beginning of the summer we moved. Nothing like a move to ground you quickly! We did well at unpacking and finding places for 90% of the things right away. At this point, you see, I was in denial. I thought, "I am a very organized person, I don't have clutter and I know where everything is."
The truth is, that is how it was in the old house. Not so in the new one.
I didn't know where anything was and I would get very frustrated trying to find things that I should've known right where they were! Because we had built our last house, we had a lot of say in how things were laid out. Our new house is an older house and things were built differently 35 years ago. Different storage, etc. I finally realized that I needed to start FLYing again. I've been saying it for several months now.
In the middle of November, my parents came to visit for Thanksgiving and my daughter's birthday. At the end of their trip, we all decided it would be great for them to stay another week so all in all they were here for a month. We completely enjoyed their visit, but there was a problem. Somewhere in the back of my mind I kept thinking, they are leaving December 6th, so that leaves me plenty of time to do Christmas cards, shop, etc. But when they extended their trip I didn't do the math in my head. So I was left feeling VERY crunched for time.
On top of that my house was an absolute mess.
The epiphany came when a cousin who was in town from Canada called and wanted to stop by that morning to visit before she went home. It was incredibly stressful. My house was a mess and I felt like I just didn't have time for this visit. Sad to think! My husband picked up a little bit but we had to apologize for the state of our home when she came. Later that day I kept feeling the weight of having to do my Christmas cards and do some other projects on the sewing machine and the computer. I kept telling myself I would clean over the weekend but I had to get this stuff done first.
After several minutes of ranting and raving and not being able to find things or even a space to do my work, my lovely husband told me I had to clean first. He reasoned that if the house was at least a little cleaner (cleared off surfaces, things put away) I would be able to relax and focus on the other tasks. I of course moaned and complained while knowing he was right.
I spent 15 minutes cleaning up and what a difference it made! My counters and tables were cleared off and I felt so much more peaceful and able to focus. I got my other projects done in no time. I was even able to write a personal note on each Christmas card which I never do. I always just sent a picture of the kids.
Now I know and can finally admit that I suffer from CHAOS in our new home!! I am starting again at the beginning. I know our "new" home will be as organized and clean and peaceful as our old one. It will come.
Thank you so much for all you do. It has been so helpful to know in the back of mind that when I finally did admit to myself I had a problem, I knew right where to turn to fix it! You are amazing.
Missa in UT
FlyLady here: You want to have a home where you can visit with family and friends. You
can create such a home one BabyStep at a time!
You start flinging the CHAOS 15 minutes at a time.
You can do this and see the difference, too! ...
"Older people shouldn't eat health food, they need all the preservatives they can get."
- Robert Orben
From My Niece, Shari, of VA - 12/11/20, 9:56 AM - "Wishing You & Yours A Wonderful Christmas!" (#7 in a Series of 7):
Thank you, Shari, these have been delightful!
BONUS WINTER CROCHET PATTERN:
Nancy Anderson's Snowflake Pillow - "This stunning snowflake pillow will be enjoyed all winter long! Pillow cover is crocheted and snowflake motif is crochet separately then stitched in place."
BONUS WINTER RECIPES:
From Domi O'Brien ('64) of NH - 12/10/18 - "Gluten-Free Popovers":
Gluten-Free Popovers
Really simple.
Preheat the oven to 425. Grease a standard 12 cup muffin pan or a 6 cup popover pan heavily.
Measure 3/4 of a cup of King Arthur or Bob's Red Mill gluten-free 1 to 1 flour mix (contains xanthan gum; don't use one without it. Don't use gluten-free Bisquick or gluten-free "baking mix") and 1/4 cup cornstarch.
Add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk together.
Add 1 and a quarter cups whole milk and 4 large eggs.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes, reduce oven to 375 and leave in about 20 minutes more for muffin pan and about 30 more for popover pan.
You want it well-puffed, golden, and firm, with a big air space inside. (I am told it will NOT puff properly if you substitute nut milk or soy milk.) Serve hot!
Thank you, Domi! Good Yule to you and yours!
From Me ('65) of NC - 12/17/17:
This is so fast and simple to make, it's long been a great favorite of mine. If you can tolerate the high sodium content, it might help you during the next few hectic days:
Hamburger Stroganoff
1 pkg. wide noodles
2 lbs. hamburger, browned & drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can cream of celery soup
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
1 lg. container sour cream
Prepare noodles, rinse and drain. Add four soups to cooked hamburger; heat for 5 minutes. Add sour cream and heat for 5 minutes. Combine hamburger mixture with noodles.
- Carol Buckley Harty, Hillsboro, MO, 1984
Mr. Food's Gooey Amish Caramel Pie - "Got a sweet tooth? If you do, then our Gooey Amish Caramel Pie may just satisfy your cravings. The rich sweetness of the caramel mixed with the crunchy pecans goes perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side."
Mr. Food's Cherry Nut Cobbler - "Be ready for loads of compliments when you serve up this yummy Cherry Nut Cobbler. Lots of shortcuts make it easy for you, but they'll never know that you didn't really fuss!"
Me: "I just burned 2000 calories in 20 minutes."
Friend: "How?"
Me: "I forgot to take my brownies out of the oven."
The words and music to the Christmas song Little Drummer Boy was composed by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone in 1958. The lyrics of Little Drummer Boy consist of no less than 21 rum pum pum pum' - a major part of the song and therefore presenting an apparently easy task for the lyricist! However, Little Drummer Boy has been a huge hit for several artists. The most notable rendition was created by the most unlikely combination of Bing Crosby and David Bowie. This version of Little Drummer Boy was a massive hit for the artists and was in fact Bing Crosby's most successful recording since the legendary White Christmas.
- Words and Music by Katherine K. Davis; Arranged by Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone, 1958
Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?
Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.
"Little Drummer Boy" midi courtesy of http://www.catholic.net/christmas_songs/template_channel.phtml?channel_id=17 - 12/18/07
"Little Drummer Boy" lyrics and (slightly distorted) history courtesy of http://www.carols.org.uk/little_drummer_boy.htm - 12/18/07
Image of Little Drummer Boy courtesy
of http://www.ctrivervalley.com/4-Connecticut-CT-in-of/Fairs-in-Connecticut-festivals/deep_river_ancient_muster/index.html - 12/18/07
Little Drummer Boy clip art used to form Divider Lines courtesy
of http://www.godslamb.net/wonder/drumboy.html - 12/18/07
Animated Laughing Kitty courtesy of Tom Flax ('64) of VA - 06/03/06
Thanks, Tom!
Navy Seal clip art courtesy of http://www.onemileup.com/miniSeals.asp - 05/29/06
Winter Ornaments courtesy of Wayne Agee of FL - 12/12/10
Thanks, Wayne!
Animated Dancing Snoopy courtesy of Billy Turner ('65) of TX - 11/26/08
Thanks, Billy Turner!
Small Yule Log clip art courtesy of ??? - 12/22/06