With a message as simple as it is powerful, Little Drummer Boy is a story about the value of giving from what you have, even if you think that what you can give is too little.

The Little Drummer Boy Lyrics

Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
Our newborn 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
When we come
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 our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, 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
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

The lyrics of the song were written in 1772 by English poet John Newton and it was published for the first time as a poem in Olney Hymns, by J. Newton and William Cowper (1779). They talk about the author’s conversion to Christianity, after he was previously a slave trader and became a staunch activist against slavery.

Some theories say the tune is an adaptation after Loving Lambs, an old American folk song, while other claim that it is related to Scottish folk song Loch Lomond. However the song uses the tune of an old traditional song New Britain and it was first recorded as Amazing Grace in the 1847’s edition of William Walker’s tune book called “Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion”.

Amazing Grace Lyrics

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace that fear relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds
And drives away his fear.

Must Jesus bear the cross alone
And all the world go free
No, there’s a cross for everyone
And there’s a cross for me.

When we’ve been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Lyrics

Refrain
Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

I looked over Jordan and what did I see
Coming for to carry me home
A band of angels coming after me
Coming for to carry me home

Refrain
If you get there before I do
Coming for to carry me home
Tell all my friends I’m coming too
Coming for to carry me home

Refrain
I’m sometimes up and sometimes down
Coming for to carry me home
But still my soul feels heavenly bound
Coming for to carry me home

Refrain
The brightest day that I can say
Coming for to carry me home
When Jesus washed my sins away
Coming for to carry me home

Refrain

There are many theories about its origins, some of them attributing the compositing to either John Francis Wade (father of Bonny Prince Charles*), John Reading, King John IV of Portugal or some anonymous Cistercian monks.
*According to some sources, including BBC it is actually a Jacobite song honoring the birth of Bonny Prince Charles.

The carol known today as “O Come, All Ye Faithful” was adapted in English in 1841 by English Catholic priest Frederick Oakeley. Originally it had only four verses, another four being added later (18th century).

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” Lyrics

Complete version

The song has become popular worldwide and adapted in many languages after it was recorded by English singer Laurie London, 1957-1958.

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands Lyrics

He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got the little bitty baby in his hands,
He’s got the little bitty baby in his hands,
He’s got the little bitty baby in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole wide* world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got you and me brother in his hands,
He’s got you and me brother in his hands,
He’s got you and me brother in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got the mountains and the rivers in his hands,
He’s got the mountains and the rivers in his hands,
He’s got the mountains and the rivers in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got the wind and the rain in his hands,
He’s got the wind and the rain in his hands,
He’s got the wind and the rain in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got everybody here in his hands,
He’s got everybody here in his hands,
He’s got everybody here in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands,
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

The song is a composition of James and J Rosamong Johnos brothers first recorded in 1928 at The Famous Myers Jubilee Singers. An earlier complete version of the song was printed in Sandburg in 1927.

Dem Bones Lyrics

It was first recited in public on the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, on February 12, 1900. It was later set up on music by author’s brother J. Rosamond Johnson.

Usually sung on the Juneteenth, the day we celebrate the end of slavery in the USA, and also on Thanksgiving as a symbol of freedom and hope, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is considered the “Black national anthem” and the Freedom song.

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” Lyrics

Lift ev’ry voice and sing,
‘Til earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list’ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on ’til victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
‘Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.

The original version of the song, written by Charles Wesley and entitled “Hymn for Christmas-Day” had the opening lyrics: “Hark! how all the welkin rings / Glory to the King of Kings”.

The lyrics were subject to different changes over time, the version sung today is the one published in Carols for Choirs in 1961.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Lyrics

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King,
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as Man with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

The lyrics, written by theologian and hymn writer Isaac Watts in 1719, were inspired by some Bible verses, namely the Psalm 98, Psalm 96:11–12 and Genesis 3:17–18.

The tune in use today is a musical composition by Lowell Mason from 1848.

“Joy to the World” Lyrics

Joy to the World; the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields & floods, rocks, hills & plains
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.

It was only later set up as a song and it had different melodic lines over time. The modern version sang today is a 1909 arrangement by Frederic Austin.

“12 Days of Christmas” is a cumulative song, each verse corresponding to a present offered for 12 days consecutively, starting with first day of Christmas Day, in which Each gift is added to the previous one.

12 Days of Christmas Meaning

The Twelvetide or the Twelve Days of Christmas is a Christian festivity celebrating the birth of baby Jesus, and Twelfth Night refers to evening of January 5th. Traditionally the Twelfth Day is the last day of Christmas season.

12 Days of Christmas Lyrics

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!

The lyrics refer to the Nativity scene but in the 1960s another version of the song called “Tell in On The Mountain” about the civil rights struggle as well. The song became a hit in 1964. Another version that referenced the Civil Rights Movemebt was recorded by The Wailers in 1970.

“Go Tell it On The Mountain” Lyrics

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! Above the Earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior’s birth

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn

It was first published in 1862 along the original Welsh version of the song. Today, Deck the Halls is one of the most popular Christmas carols and is often known as ‘Tis the season.

“Deck the Halls” Lyrics

Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
‘Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Troul the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

See the flowing bowl before us,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
While I sing of beauty’s treasure,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

Fast away the old year passes,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Laughing, quaffing all together,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

The lyrics, which belong to the well-known writer Lydia Maria Child, represent her own childhood memories, going to visit her grandfather’s house on Thanksgiving Day. In many cases today we sing “to grandmother’s house we go” but the original version refers to the grandfather.

The poem was first published in the volume Child’s Flowers for Children in 1844.

“Over the River and Through the Woods” Lyrics

Thanksgiving Song

Over the river and through the woods,
To grandfather’s* house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

Over the river and thru the woods,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and thru the wood,
To have a first-rate play;
Oh, hear the bell ring, “Ting-a-ling-ling!”
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!

Over the river and thru the woods,
Trot fast my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground like a hunting hound,
For this is Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river and through the woods,
And straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go extremely slow,
It is so hard to wait!

Over the river and through the woods,
Now Grandmother’s cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

“The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day”

by Lydia Maria Child

Over the river, and through the wood,
To grandfather’s house we go!
The horse knows the way,
To carry the sleigh,
Through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood,
To Grandfather’s* house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river, and through the wood,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes,
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river, and through the wood,
With a clear blue winter sky,
The dogs do bark,
And children hark,
As we go jingling by.

Over the river, and through the wood,
To have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring, “Ting-a-ling-ling!”
Hurray for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river, and through the wood,
No matter for winds that blow,
Or if we get
The sleigh upset,
Into a bank of snow.

Over the river, and through the wood,
To see little John and Ann.
We will kiss them all,
And play snow-ball,
And stay as long as we can.

Over the river, and through the wood,
Trot fast, my dapple grey!
Spring over the ground,
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving day!

Over the river, and through the wood,
And straight through the barn-yard gate,
We seem to go
Extremely slow,
It is so hard to wait!

Over the river, and through the wood,
Old Jowler hears our bells,
He shakes his pow,
With a loud bow-wow,
And thus the news he tells.

Over the river, and through the wood,
When Grandmother sees us come,
She will say, “Oh, dear,
The children are here,
bring a pie for every one.”

Over the river, and through the wood,
Now grandmother’s cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun!
Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

Related Thanksgiving Songs

Ray Charles performed a single based on the song in 1955 called “This Little Girl of Mine”.

The song gained more popularity in the 1950s when it was performed by musician and activist Zilphia Horton and turned into one of the most well-known and beloved Civil Rights Movement protest anthems.

“This Little Light of Mine” Lyrics

This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine

This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine
All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine
All around the neighborhood

I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine

Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.

Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

The lyrics are usually repeated by kids before they go to sleep.

The “Matthew, Mark, Luke and John” rhyme was first published as a charm or blessing in 1656, England, by Thomas John Ady in his book “Candle in the Dark: Or, A Treatise Concerning the Nature of Witches & Witchcraft”

“Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
The bed be blest that I lie on.”

The origins of this prayer can be traced back to Babylonia’s ancient times in a prayer. It has a Jewish equivalent that was rediscovered in medieval times and said as a blessing prayer before sleep: “In the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, may Michael be at my right hand; Gabriel at my left; Uriel before me; Raphael behind me and the Shekhinah of God be above my head”

“Matthew, Mark, Luke and John” Lyrics

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
Bless the bed that I lie on.
Four corners to my bed,
Four angels round my head;
One to watch and one to pray
And two to bear my soul away

The “Hot Cross Buns” are traditional sweets, eaten on Good Friday. They are small pieces of spicy cakes, also called buns, made with different kind of fruits (currants, raisins, or candied citrus fruits) and decorated with a white cross.

“Hot cross buns” is also a street cry, a short lyric called by street-sellers in the open-air markets while trying to sell their products, mostly practiced around the 19th century.

The song was first published in the “Christmas Box” London, 1798. However, the song appeared earlier as a street cry. The “Poor Robin’s Almanack for 1733” published the following lyrics:

“Good Friday come this month, the old woman runs
With one or two a penny hot cross buns”

“Hot Cross Buns” Lyrics

Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
One ha’ penny, two ha’ penny,
Hot cross buns!
If you have no daughters,
Give them to your sons
One ha’ penny,
Two ha’ penny,
Hot Cross Buns!

We don’t know the exact origins of the Christmas Is Coming poem. The musical sheet belongs to the writer Edith Nesbit (Bland) (1858-1924), the author of some popular children’s literature.

It became popular in the 1960s when The Kingston Trio band included it on their album “The Last Month of the Year” titled “A Round About Christmas”.

Over the years “Christmas Is Coming” has become one the most popular rounds and Christmas songs for children, both in the USA and the UK.

“Christmas Is Coming” Lyrics

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat
Please to put a penny in the old man’s hat;
If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny will do,
If you haven’t got a ha’penny then God bless you!