The Little Drummer Boy chords

by Faith Hill

Song Keys: A Major → E Major → B Major

Key Signature - A Major: 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#)

Time Signature: 2/2 (𝅗𝅥)

Tempo: 74 bpm (Moderately slow)

Vocal Range: F#3 - B4


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Intermediate

Guitar Chords: A, E, D, B, F#

Chart Legend
Numbered Circles: Fingers used to play chords   O: Optional Note
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings   R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open   X: Don't play string    B: Bass Note
A Major E Major D Major B Major B Major barre chord F# Major barre chord F# Major
A Major-LH E Major-LH D Major-LH B Major-LH B Major barre chord-LH F# Major barre chord-LH F# Major-LH

The Little Drummer Boy

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
             
Intro: 2/2 ‖  Hum...  | Hum...  | Hum...  | Hum...  ‖

   A
1. Come they told me  Pa rum pum pum pum 
 A
   Our new born King to see  Pa rum pum pum pum 
 E   
   Our fin-est gifts we bring  Pa rum pum pum pum 
 E           A                 D
   To lay be-fore the King  Pa rum pum pum pum 
  A                  E
  Rum pum pum pum    Rum pum pum pum 
   A
   So to ho-nor Him Pa rum pum pum pum 
   E       A  
   When we come 

   ‖ Hum | Hum pum pum | Pum pum | Hum  pum  pum | Pum pum ‖

   A
2. Ba-by Je-sus   Pa rum pum pum pum 
 A
   I am a poor boy too   Pa rum pum pum pum 
 E
   I have no gift to bring   Pa rum pum pum pum 
 E               A                   D
   That's fit to give our King    Pa rum pum pum pum 
   A                  E
   Rum pum pum pum    Rum pum pum pum 
   A
   Shall I play for you    Pa rum pum pum pum 
   E     A
   On my drum

 | Pum pum | Rum pa ra ra  Pum pum |Pa ra ra Pum |

 | Rum pa ra ra Pum pum | Pa ra ra Pum |... key change

   E
3. Ma-ry nodded     Pa rum pum pum pum 
 E
   The ox and lamb kept time    Pa rum pum pum pum
 B
   I played my drum for Him    Pa rum pum pum pum
 B             E                  A
   I played my best for Him    Pa rum pum pum pum
   E                  B
   Rum pum pum pum    Rum pum pum pum

 | Pum Pa ra ra Pum Pa ra ra | Pum Pa ra ra Pum Pa ra ra | Pum |... key change

   B
   Then He smiled at me    Pa rum pum pum pum
   F#        B                  F#        B
   Me and my drum...| Pum pum | Me and my drum...| Hum | Hum | Rum...
                                rit...

Notes:

  • The song starts in the key of A Major (3 sharps - F# C# G#) with a key change going into the 3rd verse to E Major (4 sharps - F# C# G# D#), and a final key change to B Major (5 sharps - F# C# G# D# A#) going into the last 2 lines of the 3rd verse.
  • There is a lot of 'Pa rum pum pum pumming' going on in this song, and I have included it in various parts of the song where it helps to keep track of bar counts, etc. It's almost a cross between African Traditional and Gregorian Chant and works beautifully in this song.
  • I have kept the chords to a minimum so that most of you can play along. The harder chords include F# and B. If you can't play barre chords, use the B & F# Major alternatives on the charts above. The open F# is played exactly the same as the open F, except you begin the chord on the 2nd fret instead of the first.
  • Alternatively, if you are finger-picking, you could play the F# exactly the same way as an open E chord shape except you move up 2 frets and make sure you don't play strings 1, 2, and 6. The E chord is written as 022100. The F# chord is written as x443xx. You probably wouldn't strum this chord as you would most likely play some unwanted notes.
  • The tempo is set at 60 bpm in 2/2 time which means 2 half-note beats per measure. If you want to play in 4/4 time with 4 quarter-note beats per measure, the tempo would be set at 120 bpm. If you are using a metronome or click track, 60 bpm is more in keeping with the sombre 'feel' of the song and is preferable... the choice is yours.
  • 'rit' is short for ritardando, which means to slow down. You will find this on the last line of the song.
  • This is an excellent rendition by Faith Hill and her amazing choir.
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