Carol, France.
This is a Christmas carol from France, originally written in Burgundian by Bernard de La Monnoye and published in 1720. Its title is onomatopoetic, mimicking the sound of the drums of shepherds gathering around the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Apparently, the same shepherds also play the flute, as indicated in the lyric “tu-re-lu-re-lu”.
The original title of this carol was “Guillô, Pran Ton Tamborin” (“Willie, Take Your Little Drum”).
Sing-Along Video with Lyrics
Lyrics (English)
Willie, take your little drum,
with your whistle, Robin, come!
When we hear the fife and drum,
ture-lure-lu, pata-pata-pan,
When we hear the fife and drum,
Christmas should be frolicsome.
Thus the men of olden days
for the King of Kings to praise,
When they heard the fife and drum,
ture-lure-lu, pata-pata-pan,
When they hear the fife and drum, sure,
our children won’t be dumb.
God and man are now become
more at one than fife and drum.
When you hear the fife and drum,
ture-lure-lu, pata-pata-pan,
When you hear the fife and drum,
dance and make the village hum.
Lyrics (French)
Guillaume, prends ton tambourin,
Toi, prends ta flûte, Robin;
Au son de ces instruments,
Turelurelu, patapatapan,
Au son de ces instruments,
Je dirai Noël gaîment.
C’était la mode autrefois,
De louer le Roi des rois,
Au son de ces instruments,
Turelurelu, patapatapan,
Au son de ces instruments,
Il nous en faut faire autant.
L’homme et Dieu sont plus d’accord,
Que la flûte et le tambour;
Au son de ces instruments,
Turelurelu, patapatapan,
Au son de ces instruments,
Chantons, dansons, sautons en!
Click here for more free printable Christmas lyrics.
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“Willie, Take Your Little Drum (Pat a Pan)” free mp3 download (instrumental)
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Hello, I was wondering if I could use your song recording for “Pat-a-pan” on YouTube? The video will not be monetized. We are having a children’s gathering in October and I am wanting to sing over your recording on post to youtube for the children to learn the lyrics and melody before the gathering. We will be happy to give you credit and post a link to your http://www.singing-bell.com site. Thank you for your consideration.
Hi Mia! Since the video will not be monetized, we’d love to grant you the license. Thanks in advance for giving us a link, too!