Hark! The Herald Banjo Rings
Christmas 2009
December 16
"Patapan" is a translation of the French carol "Guillo, Pran Ton Tamborin!" from the Burgundy region. Though similar in some ways to "The Little Drummer Boy" this song is much older and, in my opinion, much better.
This piece is performed by Liddy Barlow on flute and Greg Barlow on homemade banjo. We wanted to do a duet for this year, and if you play the fife and drum (or a drum with strings), what song is more natural than Patapan? Liddy hasn't played the flute in public for over nine years, but she was a good sport and agreed to contribute to Hark! this year.
Patapan
Performed by Liddy Barlow on flute and Greg Barlow on homemade banjo
Words and music: Bernard de la Monnoye, c. 1700.
Willie, take your little drum,
With your whistle, Robin, come!
When we hear the fife and drum,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan,
When we hear the fife and drum,
Christmas should be frolicsome.
Thus the men of olden days
Loved the King of kings to praise:
When they hear the fife and drum,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-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,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, pat-a-pat-a-pan,
When you hear the fife and drum,
Dance, and make the village hum!
Sources and more information
- Oxford Book of Carols, 1964.
- Hymns and Carols of Christmas
- Hymns and Carols of Christmas - French