The Little Drummer Boy
View chords used in this chart
verse 1
F Am
Come they told me
Bb F
Pa rum pum pum pum
F Am
A new born King to see
Bb F
Pa rum pum pum pum
C Am
Our finest gifts we bring
Bb C
Pa rum pum pum pum
C Am F
To lay before the king
Bb
Pa rum pum pum pum
F
Rum pum pum pum
C
Rum pum pum pum
F Am
So to honor Him
Bb F
Pa rum pum pum pum
C F
When we come
verse 2
F Am
Little baby
Bb F
Pa rum pum pum pum
F Am
I am a poor boy too
Bb F
Pa rum pum pum pum
C Am
I have no gift to bring
Bb C
Pa rum pum pum pum
C Am F
That's fit to give our King
Bb
Pa rum pum pum pum
F
Rum pum pum pum
C
Rum pum pum pum
F Am
Shall I play for you
Bb F
Pa rum pum pum pum
C F
On my drum
verse 3
F Am
Mary nodded
Bb F
Pa rum pum pum pum
F Am
The ox and lamb kept time
Bb F
Pa rum pum pum pum
C Am
I played my drum for Him
Bb C
Pa rum pum pum pum
C Am F
I played my best for Him
Bb
Pa rum pum pum pum
F
Rum pum pum pum
C
Rum pum pum pum
F Am
Then He smiled at me
Bb F
Pa rum pum pum pum
C F
Me and my drum
How to play The Little Drummer Boy
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is F. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.