Der kleine Trommler – Bilingual Lyrics German/English

• By: Wincent Weiss

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a festive journey into the German language with Wincent Weiss's heartwarming rendition of "Der kleine Trommler." This song offers a beautiful opportunity to grasp German vocabulary related to Christmas, emotions, and simple storytelling. Its clear pronunciation and familiar melody make it an excellent choice for language learners, while its touching message about humble offerings and sincere giving resonates deeply, making it a special piece to learn and love.

[English]

Through the silent night, ram tam tam tam,

A little boy walked, ram tam tam tam,

Holding his toy drum in his hand.

He wanted to go to the stable where the crib stood

Ram tam tam tam, ram tam tam tam

And the drum sounded, ram tam tam tam through the land.

...

Dear Christ child, ram tam tam tam,

I’m just a poor boy, ram tam tam tam.

Where many kings stand with gifts,

Maybe they won’t let me come to you at all.

I have no gold, I have no money.

I can only drum for you, ram tam tam tam.

If it pleases you.

...

And from heaven high, ram tam tam tam,

A star came down, ram tam tam tam,

It led him along the quiet streets.

And his little drum sounded and sang

Ram tam tam tam, ram tam tam tam

That for the salvation of the world, ram tam tam tam Christ came.

...

[German]

Durch die Stille Nacht ta ram tam tam tam,

Da ging ein kleiner Junge ram tam tam tam,

Hielt seine Spielzeugtrommel in der Hand.

Wolt zu dem Stalle wo die Grippe stand

Ram tam tam tam, ram tam tam tam

Und die Trommel klang ta ram tam tam tam durch das Land.

Liebes Christuskind ta ram tam tam tam,

Bin nur ein armer Junge ram tam tam tam.

Wo lauter Könige mit Gaben stehn,

Läßt man vielleicht mich gar nicht zu dir gern.

Hab ja kein Gold, hab ja kein Geld.

Kann nur trommeln für dich ram tam tam tam.

Wenns dir gefällt.

Und vom Himmel hoch ta ram tam tam tam,

Da kam ein Stern herab ta ram tam tam tam,

Der führte ihn die stillen Straßen entlang.

Und seine kleine Trommel klang und sang

Ram tam tam tam, ram tam tam tam

Das zum heil der Welt ta ram tam tam tam Christus kam.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
Junge /ˈjʊŋə/ A1	noun - boy
Trommel /ˈtʁɔməl/ A2	noun - drum
Christuskind /ˈkʁɪstʊsˌkɪnt/ B1	noun - Christ child
Stern /ʃtɛʁn/ A2	noun - star
Gaben /ˈɡaːbən/ B1	noun - gifts
arm /aʁm/ A2	adjective - poor
klang /klaŋ/ B1	verb - sounded
still /ʃtɪl/ B2	adjective - quiet
heilen /ˈhaɪlən/ B2	verb - to heal