A classic Christmas song recorded as a tribute to my late mother, Lydia Tse. Her birthday is on December 25th. The song was written by the American classical music composer and teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941, the same year that my mother was born.
I am honored to share this song in collaboration with an amazing team of artists and musicians for this first Christmas that we will celebrate without my sweet mom. May she be soaring and dancing to the drum of the Little Drummer Boy. Thank you for all your support and love. Wishing each of you a wonderful and safe Holiday season!
lyrics
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
When we come
Pum pum pum pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum pa rum
Baby Jesus
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
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum
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
Shall I play for you
Pa rum pum pum pum
Pa rum pum pum
Pum pum pum pum
Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum
A new born king to see
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Rum pum pum pum
Then he smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Co-produced by Daphne Tse and Gayan Gregory Long
Engineered, mixed and mastered by James Tuttle at Etown studios in Boulder, Colorado
Musicians:
Daphne Tse: Lead vocal
Gayan Gregory Long: Drums, percussion, and background vocals
Yoshi Aono: Electric and Acoustic guitars
Marcy Baruch: Harmony vocals and vocal arrangements
Deborah Schmit-Lobis: Piano
Brent Kuecker: Bass
Ashley Johnson and Ellen Watson: Background vocals
Daphne enjoys exploring all aspects of art from music to painting to photography and writing.
Since her initial
yoga class over 20 years ago, she has merged her spiritual practice with her contemporary folk singer songwriter style. She studied music at UT Austin, The Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago & kirtan music with Jai Uttal. She enjoys traveling around the globe sharing her music....more
Oakland singer-songwriter honors her Haitian heritage with five R&B spirituals overflowing with radiance, fueled by her soft, angelic voice. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 22, 2022
The second EP from Northern Irish singer-songwriter Bea Stewart runs from gentle folk to pillowy pop ballads, all perfectly executed. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 15, 2024
Michelle Stodart’s folk music captures hope in melancholy, addressing the transformational aspects of the most challenging times. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 3, 2023
Folk artist Josienne Clarke revisits music from her back catalog, infusing these lonesome songs with a new luminosity and drive. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 18, 2023