December Holidays Around the World…
by
Gypsy Joy.
The Little Drummer Boy
One of the most touching stories
told during the Christmas season is the story about the poor drummer boy who invited by the Magi felt sad, because he had no gift to give except to play his drum for the Newborn King.
Naturally, Jesus Mother,
the Virgin Mary
gave her approval to the boy to play his drum. As the drummer boy plays and sings his
Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum
little baby Jesus delighted, smiles at the boy in gratitude.
This very popular Christmas song, written by the
American pianist Katherine K. Davis
in 1941, was originally titled “The Carol of the Drum”. The song became famous when recorded by the Harry Simeone Chorale in 1958.
It seems, that the story of the drummer boy is somewhat similar to a legend told in de 12th century by Anatole France as “The Juggler of Notre Dame” (Le jongleur de Notre Dame) which was adapted into an opera in 1902 by the composer Jules Massenet. In the French legend, a monk juggler juggles before a statue of the Virgin Mary who smiles and throws the juggler a rose.
Enjoy a performance by
Paul Ponce
of the 12th century French legend at Circo del Arte in 1998.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY-jsY8JF2w
More about Katherine Davis on:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Drummer_Boy
More about Jules Massent on:
