Name: I Heard the Drums on Christmas Day
Duration: P00H03M04S
Description: Scrooge was taken to a forced Native boarding school as a youth, as so many of our Native Elders were. He reaches for a song even then.

I Heard the Drums on Christmas Day

from A Tlingit Christmas Carol by Edward Littlefield

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about

Scrooge was taken to a forced Native boarding school as a youth, as so many of our Native Elders were. He reaches for a song even then.

lyrics

I HEARD THE DRUMS ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Adapted Lyrics by Vera Starbard

I heard the drums on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar beats did play,
Slow, steady
They spoke to me
Of peace on earth, and joy to all!

And thought I, as the drums did roll,
My heart felt good, as in days of old
My people here
Singing so clear
Of peace on earth, and joy to all!

Thrumming, drumming on its way,
The world turned from cold night to day,
A voice, one more,
Soon beauteous roar
Of peace on earth, and joy to all!

Then from the halls of Christendom
His servants from the south did come
Wails and tears drowned
Once happy sounds
Of peace on earth, and joy to all!

And when our families torn apart
Wished at least our language to impart
They stole the way
For us to say
There’s peace on earth, and joy to all!

So far from home I hung my head
Beaten, shamed by those come in God’s stead
No Christmas cheer
No song sung here
Of peace on earth, and joy to all!

Then thrummed the drum heard long ago
My ears heard none, my heart said so
You urged to me
Don’t stop singing
Of peace on earth, and joy to all.

credits

from A Tlingit Christmas Carol, released December 4, 2020
Music and Arrangement by Edward Littlefield
Lyrics by Vera Starbard
Mixed and Mastered at Golden Ticket Audio

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about

Edward Littlefield Seattle, Washington

Ed Littlefield is a freelance percussionist, educator and composer based out of Seattle. He performs in many ensembles of different genres nationally and internationally.

verastarbard.com

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