Katherine K. Davis - Lyrics and Composer
1892-1980
1892-1980
Born: June 25, 1892, St. Joseph, Missouri.
Died: April 20, 1980, Littleton, Massachusetts.
Died: April 20, 1980, Littleton, Massachusetts.
HYMN HISTORY:
Katherine Kennicott Davies was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, on June 25, 1892, and composed her first piece
of music, "Shadow March," at the age of 15. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1910, and studied
music at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. After her graduation, she continued at Wellesley as an assistant
in the Music Department, teaching music theory and piano. At the same time, she studied at the New England
Conservatory of Music in Boston. Davis also studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris.
She taught music at the Concord Academy in Concord, Massachusetts, and at the Shady Hill School for Girls
in Philadelphia. Many of her over 600 compositions were written for the choirs at her school.
Her most famous composition, "The Little Drummer Boy" (originally titled "The Carol of the Drum"), which she
wrote in 1941, became famous when it was recorded by the Trapp Family Singers.
The lyrics tell the story of a poor young boy who, unable to afford a gift for the infant Jesus, plays his drum for
the newborn with the Virgin Mary's approval. Miraculously, the baby, although a newborn, seems to
understand and smiles at the boy in gratitude.
Another famous hymn by Katherine Davis is the Thanksgiving hymn "Let All Things Now Living" which uses the
melody of the traditional Welsh folk song The Ash Grove.
She was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and was granted
an honorary doctorate from Stetson University, in DeLand, Florida.
She left all of the royalties and proceeds from her compositions, which include operas, choruses, children's
operettas, cantatas, piano and organ pieces, and songs, to Wellesley College's Music Department. These
funds are used to support musical instrument instruction.
Katherine K. Davis continued writing music until she became ill in the winter of 1979-1980. She died on April
20, 1980, at the age of 88, in Littleton, Massachusetts.
Katherine Kennicott Davies was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, on June 25, 1892, and composed her first piece
of music, "Shadow March," at the age of 15. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1910, and studied
music at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. After her graduation, she continued at Wellesley as an assistant
in the Music Department, teaching music theory and piano. At the same time, she studied at the New England
Conservatory of Music in Boston. Davis also studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris.
She taught music at the Concord Academy in Concord, Massachusetts, and at the Shady Hill School for Girls
in Philadelphia. Many of her over 600 compositions were written for the choirs at her school.
Her most famous composition, "The Little Drummer Boy" (originally titled "The Carol of the Drum"), which she
wrote in 1941, became famous when it was recorded by the Trapp Family Singers.
The lyrics tell the story of a poor young boy who, unable to afford a gift for the infant Jesus, plays his drum for
the newborn with the Virgin Mary's approval. Miraculously, the baby, although a newborn, seems to
understand and smiles at the boy in gratitude.
Another famous hymn by Katherine Davis is the Thanksgiving hymn "Let All Things Now Living" which uses the
melody of the traditional Welsh folk song The Ash Grove.
She was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and was granted
an honorary doctorate from Stetson University, in DeLand, Florida.
She left all of the royalties and proceeds from her compositions, which include operas, choruses, children's
operettas, cantatas, piano and organ pieces, and songs, to Wellesley College's Music Department. These
funds are used to support musical instrument instruction.
Katherine K. Davis continued writing music until she became ill in the winter of 1979-1980. She died on April
20, 1980, at the age of 88, in Littleton, Massachusetts.
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Come they told me, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum.
A 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 honour Him, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum.
When we come.
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 a 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 ass 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.
A 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 honour Him, Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum.
When we come.
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 a 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 ass 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.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Jesus left the splendor of heaven, to suffer the shame of the cross for my sins and yours. I am reminded of a
song whose chorus says, If that isn't love, then heaven is a myth. There's no feeling like this, if that isn't love.
John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." During this Christmas season we as Christians have the
wonderful opportunity to tell others of the Savior who was born in a stable and how by His sinless life and His
death on the cross made a way to have eternal life. Give the gift of life this year by sharing with someone
God's gift to man. We pray that this Christmas your thoughts will be drawn to a greater appreciation to the
sacrifice that Christ made at Calvary. Please visit our Christmas Hymns Page and enjoy the hymns.
Jesus left the splendor of heaven, to suffer the shame of the cross for my sins and yours. I am reminded of a
song whose chorus says, If that isn't love, then heaven is a myth. There's no feeling like this, if that isn't love.
John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." During this Christmas season we as Christians have the
wonderful opportunity to tell others of the Savior who was born in a stable and how by His sinless life and His
death on the cross made a way to have eternal life. Give the gift of life this year by sharing with someone
God's gift to man. We pray that this Christmas your thoughts will be drawn to a greater appreciation to the
sacrifice that Christ made at Calvary. Please visit our Christmas Hymns Page and enjoy the hymns.
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BIBLE REFERENCE:
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he
come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call
his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which
being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should
be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every
one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with
Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in
the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of
the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And
the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign
unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with
the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:1-14
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he
come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call
his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which
being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should
be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every
one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with
Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in
the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of
the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And
the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign
unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with
the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:1-14