December 25: The Little Drummer Boy

Sequel to: The Little Drummer Boy (TV Special, 1968)

One of the lesser-known Rankin/Bass TV stop-motion animated specials is 1968's The Little Drummer Boy. This special was given a sequel 8 years later as The Little Drummer Boy, Book II. Interestingly, both specials were financed by the American Gas Association, a trade group for the natural gas industry. I've never seen the special, but per Wikipedia, "Aaron and his animal friends team up with Melchior, one of the Three Wise Men, to protect silver bells, made to ring for Christ's arrival, from a band of greedy Roman soldiers."

Today's final 25 Days song, The Little Drummer Boy, features some dialogue from the closing of the special, along with the title track sung by a chorus. I felt it was a fitting ending as we celebrate Christmas Day!

Play The Song

Download The Song

• Rankin & Bass – The Little Drummer Boy (Released 1976, 1:57, 3.1 MB)
  (Right-click and Save)

From the Archives: December 25

• 2002:
  • Hallelujah Chorus by Robert Shaw Chorale
  • We Wish You A Merry Christmas by John Denver and the Muppets
• 2003: The 12 Days of Christmas from A Christmas Together
• 2004: Medley: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/Deck the Halls/Good King Wenceslas by United Kingdom Symphony Orchestra
• 2005: Santa Claus Looks Just Like Daddy by Art Mooney and His Orchestra
• 2006: Zoomah, The Santa Claus From Mars by Art Mooney And His Orchestra with Barry Gordon
• 2007: March of the Toys by Billy May and His Big Band
• 2008:
  • Silent Night by Laura Caviani
  • Silent Night by Over The Rhine
• 2009: Jingle Bells & Tracks in the Snow by Tokyo Disneyland
• 2010: A Merry Christmas At Grandmother's by Danny Kaye and the Andrews Sisters
• 2011: For Unto Us A Child Is Born by Rebecca Arons

What's This All About?

New to Steve's 25 Days of Christmas Music? Take some time to read the explanation and introduction!