[GRANDPA]
(spoken)
When the war between the North and South had just begun
A little fella ran away and joined up with his drum
(sung)
He became a drummer in a rifle company
The youngest, bravest drummer boy in history

'cause he kept drummin', drummin', drummin'
While the enemy kept a-coming
Drummin', drummin', drummin'
Unafraid, he held his ground
Drummin', drummin', drummin'
While the enemy kept a-coming
Drummin' while the shot and shell was bursting' all around


In the middle of a battle that looked like sure defeat
All the ranks began to break and someone yelled "Retreat!"
Not that little drummer boy, he stood there like a stone
And played and played the battle roll all alone

Yes, he kept drummin', drummin', drummin'
While the enemy kept a-coming
Drummin', drummin', drummin'
Unafraid, he held his ground
Drummin', drummin', drummin'
While the enemy kept a-coming
Drummin' while the shot and shell was bursting' all around


[GRANDPA *(CHILDREN)*]
When the soldiers that were fleeing *(Drummin')*
Heard his drum and shot at sight, *(Drummin')*
'twas almost like a miracle. *(Drummin')*
Their fear had turned to fight. *(He kept drummin')*
And how the fought and how they won *(Drummin')*
Is history today *(Drummin')*
Because that little drummer boy
Showed the way

'Cause he kept-

[GRANDPA and CHILDREN]
Yes, he kept drummin', drummin', drummin'
While the enemy kept a-coming
Drummin', drummin', drummin'
Unafraid, he held his ground
Drummin', drummin', drummin'
While the enemy kept a-coming
Drummin' while the shot and shell was bursting' all around


[GRANDPA]
(spoken)
They say a rose that blooms in summertime must die when winter comes
But the memory of it's perfume lives like the memory of those drums
Well, now the war between the blue and gray is fading in the past
But the courage of that drummer boy is something that will last


[GRANDPA and CHILDREN]
(sung)
Yes, he kept drummin', drummin', drummin'
While the enemy kept a-coming
Drummin', drummin', drummin'
Unafraid, he held his ground
Drummin', drummin', drummin'
While the enemy kept a-coming
Drummin' while the shot and shell was bursting' all around