The Little Drummer Boy from the TV show The West Wing.
Broadcast 1999 from Award winning episide In Excelsis Deo [ series 1 episode 10 ].
If you know the name of the choir, please let me know.
Lyrics
Little Drummer Boy
Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see,
Pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.
Little Baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too,
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you!
Pa rum pum pum
On my drum.
Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.
"The Little Drummer Boy" is a Christmas song from 1958 - words and music by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati, and Harry Simeone. The best-known and most standard version is by the Harry Simeone Chorale. It is also known as the "Carol of the Drum".
The words and music to the Christmas song Little Drummer Boy was composed by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone in 1958. The lyrics of Little Drummer Boy consist of no less than 21 rum pum pum pum' - a major part of the song and therefore presenting an apparently easy task for the lyricist! However, Little Drummer Boy has been a huge hit for several artists.
The lyrics tell the apocryphal story of a poor young boy who, unable to afford a gift for the infant Jesus, plays his drum for the newborn with the Virgin Mary's approval.
"Toby......I'd like to come along." The tears of a grateful citizen flow every time I see this.
Mrs Landringham lost her sons in Vietnam.
"I can only hope, sir." EVERY man and woman who raised their hand, and then went off with our country's flag on their shoulder, to do their duty deserves far more than they get when they come home. So long as ONE of them is homeless, hungry, unemployed, or uncared for, then we have FAILED in our duty to them.
One of the finest moments in television
I’m not sure if this is the best moment of television history, but it gets my vote.
This clip has become my December ritual.it't how I get myself motivated to start Christmas prep. Every year, and always brings me to tears
Yes! R.I.P. Kathryn Joosten... a very fine actress, who played Mrs. Landingham with great dignity and nuances...
Every day. Every single day, our best give their all for us. Give everything for us. They are *not* losers. They are the *best* of us.
I can never stop myself from weeping every time I see this - and I keep watching it
As a boy I lived across the road from Arlington (at the old portion of Ft. Myer that was between the cemetery and the Potomac River). I could see a large section of the cemetery from my bedroom window and hear the muffled drums and rifle shots. Years later I attended five funerals there, including ones with full military honors for my father and my uncle. The others were for my mother, my aunt, and my young cousin. It's a humbling and memorable experience to attend a funeral there.
"I can only hope so" is probably one of the finest lines written
This scene Should go down as a Classic! Not only in the acting but the sense of Humanity that is portrait in this scene.
West Wing remains, for me, an example of the very best TV that the US can produce. I still rewatch parts of it today.
I’ve rewatched it 12 times, start to finish …… The best there ever was.
This episode was perfection, and Toby's 'stop him in his tracks' retort to President Bartlett was the pinnacle. "I can only hope, sir".
Jed knew that was coming and would have been disappointed if it was not said.
The best.
There is that special way that Aaron Sorkin can write a scene that just cuts right to your heart. As many times as I've seen this it still takes my breath away.
Well said. Brilliant and incredibly moving.
I have watched this at least a dozen times and a new thought hit me when the honor guard took the casket out of the hearse. Did they think " Why are we doing this for a homeless loser?" Then they realized they were doing it for a vet and all that resentment went away. We don't know the details of everyone's life, we should not judge.
All Mrs. Landingham wanted to do was spend one more Christmas with her boys. This was one of the early and what would grow to be a number of heartaching episodes which would weave. through The seven years that we laughed and cried and watched again and again because they were so important. Once again Aaron Sorkin’s writing would have us reaching for the tissue box. This was why television was made. Yes it was the way we hope that the world would be and at least for an hour once a week we got to have a moment when it was.
One of the reasons this scene works so well is that Richard Schiff’s emotions during the funeral are quite genuine. They used an actual US Navy Chaplain and the actual Marine Corps Burial Detail. Every take they did they did the complete burial ceremony from the top. Thus, Richard Schiff was overcome with very real emotion by the time they finished filming it.
20+ years later and I am crying like a child....
Me too ... and that's just watching this snippet, without needing the build-up.
This has to be the most powerful Version of Little Drummer Boy that I've ever seen or heard. Ever.
The fact that the White House staff came together in formation while the funeral was in process was overwhelming. I cried hysterically from that point on.
"I can only hope, sir." Most powerful line in a powerful scene.
Hard to believe TV this good existed at one point.
"I can only hope sir" left me choking up a bit.
When TV was still watchable.
The hardest thing I ever had to do in all the military funerals I participated in was to present the Flag to the widow or next of kin. The words are hard to say without choking up. I'm a 12 year veteran of the US Army. My brother was a Marine veteran and he died. Someone presented a flag to his wife. My father was a Korean War vet and someone presented the Flag to my mother at his funeral. I always thought about that when presenting the Flag. I was there when it was presented for my brother and my father. I watch this episode every Christmas and I have my kids watch it with me. Bless all of you who read this.
Thank you for your father's, yours and your brothers service. Blessings to all of your family from Korea.
@@schmoo02231 Thank you very much!
Watched and cried.
Your words ring true,. I am a veteran of the USMC. Parent of current active duty USAF and a gold star family member loosing our Marine 1-16-2018. While on active duty I've served in burial details numerous times, but receiving that flag and hearing those words still haunts me and am proud at the same time.
My condolences to you and your family. Thank you for your service.@@lewisbarclay6574
I'm cryin'....and beyond thankful.
Best series in TV history
Not just the best episode of THE WEST WING - but the best 42 minutes of primetime drama of last 25 years. A earlier scene where Mrs. Landingham talks about her sons would melt the hardest of hearts.
“I miss my boys.” Mrs. Landingham. And then her wanting to attend the funeral with Toby? This is precision writing, casting and acting. Best show ever on television.
Best five minutes of TV ever.
The greatest scene ever in the history of television. It's not even close.
"I can only hope" gets me everytime, especially Bartlet's look where he knows Toby's right.
jamie32501 the acting between the two of them is simply indescribable
Amazing instant reply. Without breath or thought. "If only"
This is everything
Yes. I smiled when Toby said that. Well done Toby.
Me too. The onion fairy visits every time I watch it. When Toby says "I can only hope Sir." It hits so hard. We look after criminals better than our Vets. It's the exact same here in the UK.
martin sheen (the actor) once said in an interview that toby is the conscinece of this white house. indeed. toby is such a complex and emotional character. the ingenuity of the great aaron sokrin
One of the finest moments in a long list of fine moments from the West Wing
And let's not forget Kathryn's Joosten's understated brilliance earlier in the same episode with her 'I miss my boys' monologue. Two standout performances in a show full of standout performances. This episode was only ever bested by Two Cathedrals, and there's very little from any other American drama that has ever come close.
I agree, your sentiments are spot on.
Amen to that.
The episode about 'Grandfathers' also holds a dear place in my heart.
You are so spot on. Two Cathedrals in my opinion remain the best TWW episode and perhaps one of the best in the history of American Television. For some reason, “Somebody’s going to emergency, Somebody’s going to jail” especially last 10 minutes of that hit me equally hard. In Excelsis Deo makes top 5.
I had forgotten "I miss my boys" was in the same episode. Wow. Either one would have been enough for one hour.
I swear, I cried whenever I watch this scene, when Mrs Landingham says "I'd like to come along." The weight of the story she told Charlie earlier, about her sons who died in the war, were already weighing on me, and that line just pushes me over.
"I can only hope, sir." -- If there's one line to sum up Toby's character, that's it.
Aaron Sorkin writing had a way of cutting to the core often with one small powerful sentence. “I can only hope”, wow what a line.
@Hello there, how are you doing this blessed day?
Hello there. How are you spamming this blessed day? @@edithbannerman4
Possibly the best episode of a terrific series. Still brings tears to my eyes.
I don't know about best, but definitely up there. I'd rank Two Cathedrals as probably the best.
Hard to beat TC indeed but WW was so good you'll find gems all over the series. Still unmatched to this day. @@ajohnson153
Goosebumps…..
It has been 24 years since this first aired. I am taken back to every military funeral I have attended. This is probably one of the most powerful scenes from The West Wing. It brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it- even after 24 years.
As a child one of my first books was about a drummer boy with Napoleon's army in Egypt. I can't stress this more: lets hope that they are similar kindhearted people out there who'll never be able to watch this without crying
This is the episode where I totally fell in love with _The West Wing_ (and Toby Ziegler).
If I had 1% of the talent Sorkin does when it come to putting scenes like this together I would die a happy man. I watch this every holiday season.
One of the best episodes of ALL time. West Wing was my favorite show. We need more Tobys.
"I can only hope so" best line in TV history.
If the federal government can spend to study the sexual habits of insects. I think we can honor our veterans.
"I can only hope, sir." gets me every damn time.
Just like it got Bartlett ...
Best line in I think one of, if not the best TV show ever.
I absolutely love when Mrs. Landingham is standing there, all bundled up, and says, "Toby, I'd like to come along". Perfect.
This scene never fails to make me cry.
The brilliance of Fine Writing shown here. This is why Writers should be PAID well...
"I'd like to come along." Shouldn't we all?
True power is being able to deliver a devastating rebuke of someone's actions without raising your voice or eliciting resentment. Mrs Landingham had that power.
The hand gesture the guards make folding the flag tears me up every time
I hope I’m not the only one who gets a bit misty watching this. It’s just so moving ❤️
One of my favorite ww episodes but my favorite line belongs to Mrs. Lanningham earlier when she tells Charlie “I miss my boys”.
An old Navy Veteran from the UK here. I have always admired the way the US Armed Forces honour their fallen colleagues this way. I attended 20 plus repatriation services in Afghanistan in 2007/08 and have kept every card from each service before the hercules took off from Camp Bastion bound for Brize Norton. I was 50 then, and they were all SO young. Watching this scene takes me back and is very moving. I live in hope parents will not suffer the loss of their young servicemen and women, but Ukraine/Gaza etc shows I am a fool to even hope.
I pray to God that our leaders always remember this scene. And that there's never a day when I don't shed a tear over it.
This is acting at its finest. This is writing at its finest. This is TV at its finest.
Totally agree. I don't believe that there will be another show to match it.
I've watched this scene many times...and am always brought to tears
It shows our government at it's finest, or at least how it should be.
And also Mandy was there.
It's the moment between Toby and Jed though, that little heartbeat of total silence, then just an approving look and the hand on the shoulder. That sets me off and then it just gets messy after that. Damned fine writing, damned fine acting.
I each time I watch this get a lump in my throat and I get chocked up, thank heaven for great TV
I loved how you could see Mrs. Laningham and Toby both flinch from the salute. Toby, for remembering his time in war, and Mrs. Laningham for remembering her son's funerals.
Flinching is an instinctive reaction to 7 firearms going off at once.
@@Nyx773 Not when you know it's coming.
Toby was in a war
@@lukethompson2714 Correct.
Toby never served in the military. Aaron Sorkin has confirmed Toby was not a veteran.
Don’t know why I cry everytime I see this scene. If this is not moving you to tears don’t know what else is!!! RIP veterans!
Best TV Series Episode of all time....
One of my Favorite West Wing scenes.
It was simply the finest show ever on TV. I have every season and watch it every October before election session. To remind me of what we should have.
Toby with the emotional meatgrinder, then Mrs. Landingham comes in with the 2x4 to the heart.
Dec 24,2020. This scene is almost 20 years old and I watch it religiously every Christmas. One of the most poignant and powerful scenes ever created.
"You shouldn't have done that Toby." "You absolutely should not have done that." "I'd like to come along."
Just seeing Mrs Landingham makes me a bit teary eyed. The scene where she was telling Charlie about her boys was one of the sweetest, yet raw things I've seen.
"I hope so"... while the Little Drummer Boy plays in the background. Epic TV drama
Brings me to teas ever time I see this scene.
The editing of this part of the episode is really exceptional.
One of the finest moments of the series.
@Hello there, how are you doing this blessed day?
One of the finest moments in TV history
Mrs. Landingham is a class act
I absolutely love how she first admonishes him and then joins him.
Toby reacting to the gunshots. Brilliant scene.
Real shots too. What you see there are marines, corps wanted to make sure it was done "right". Say what you want about the military: they dont fuck around when it comes to fallen soldiers.
I always wonder if they're foreshadowing there with Toby finding Josh.
Me cry??? Like a baby. Still the best show. USMC Vet
Thank you for your service, Adam.
"I can only hope sir". 5 simple words absolutely switched the moral high ground and power in this amazing scene. Sorkin a genius and the cast all producing career highlights.
The best scene of this series. I especially like the line where Toby said "He woild have gotten better treatment at Panmunjom"
The west wing was one of the most unique tv series on tv is was well cast well written. If you are in to politics the west wing is it.
No doubt the best episode and series ever produced. We need more like this.
Best episode of ANY TV PROGRAM EVER !!! ❤#theweswing
I have seen this over and over and have come to the conclusion that this is the finest episode of a Great Great show.
I thought I was just fine, a normal Saturday evening at home in late May. Then I was in tears and my heart felt like it might burst. To all, a peaceful Memorial Day on 29 May 2023.
It cannot be over 20 years ago. The beauty of this story is Aaron Sorkin's finest moment. My dad was still alive when this first aired. I watched it knowing that one day we would be at Arlington for his ceremony. I wept like a baby. How wonderful that we honor those who served with such a poingnant thank you "from a grateful nation", God bless you, dad.
GOD BLESS
BRAVO!!
God Bless your Dad.
A salute to your father for his service and sacrifice to our nation; my father is buried in Saratoga National Cemetary: A WWII Navy vet, U.S.S. Winslow Destroyer.
God Bless you both.
As a former NCO of the Month (7th SFGA) I was rewarded (if you choose to call it that - which I most certainly did) with a month long assignment to Fort Bragg's Funeral Detail where I served as the NCOIC for the firing detail. We all (formed from members of various units on the post, served as a burial squad for the month) attended numerous military funerals, sometimes twice a day. When we weren't at a ceremony we were practicing, seven days a week. I don't know that I've ever been prouder to have served my country.
Some say we British are the masters of pomp and ceremony....but ive never seen anything like this at the service funerals ive been to.....so give it up to the Yanks they recognize the dedication of their departed military personnel.
As the camera backs up to show row after endless row of grave stones, can’t help but think of my son’s comment - currently an active duty Army Ranger, he had just said the Ranger’s Creed kneeling over the grave of a friend’s father, a fallen Ranger from World War II - “there they are, in their final formation forever”. Beyond sad, so proud of my son’s service, so very sorry for what he’s lived through in that service. To be at Arlington, or any National Cemetery in the world, is a gut punch. IMHO West Wing did a good job of showing what Duty, Honor, Country could mean individually.
“I can only hope sir” one of the best lines from Aaron Sorkin - brings out the best in all of us
Forty seconds in. And I’m crying. And every time I see this scene...❤️😢
I remember watching this when it first aired, well all of them, but this one got me. Now sitting here at almost midnight with my face drenched in tears, what, some 20 + years later. My favorite Christmas song combined with that honor guard at the graveside, and now with memories of my own dad's funeral four years ago. We not only had the Marine Corps there, but the Fire Department as well because my dad spent his life serving. My most humble and gracious thank you to all who have served.
I attended 3 military funerals of family members, the last one I was presented the folded flag...I could never imagine myself not standing for the flag during our National Anthem
I was never in military service. My two older brothers were, as was a cousin who was raised with us, they were much older than I, and it was during the Korean Non-war. I was 5 or 6 when they went and under around 10 or 11 when they came home. All of them have passed now, and I am still here. I say this because the West Wing is to me the ideal of how a US President should behave. We do not have a President of that caliber and have not in a long time.
There is no replacement for compassion and artistic brilliance. Articulate expression of the respect we should display to all.
My husband and I have watched the whole series of West Wing so many times - I bought him the box set one birthday. We never tire of seeing and would vote it best of all time programs on tv, absolute magic
"I can only hope, sir." No further words needed. New Year, 2020.
As a Veteran....Every time I have seen this (And I have seen it several times) I cry for all those amazing men and women who have died for this country and never got the recognition they deserved
The soldier in this episode was just a character of course, but the unit Toby mentioned is not. The second battalion of the seventh Marines took part in the Inchon Landing and fought at the Chosin Reservoir against the Chinese. U.S. forces numbered around 30,000 and suffered around 18,000 casualties. The Chinese had them trapped and surrounded with 120,000 men. Because the Marines were able to secure and defend two critical passes over the only road out, eventually, the survivors were able to break out. They fought in temperatures of -36 degrees. It was so cold that when the troops got shot, their blood froze, preventing many of them from bleeding out. It was one of the harshest and fiercest battles in the history of the Marine Corps. That war is not widely taught and not well known, but it should be. Great job by the show to shed a bit of light on it.
Same here, brother. I was U.S.A.F. Air Rescue, saw my share of casualties. This scene chokes me up every time.
:: A masterclass in writing, acting, directing!!! ::
This is the best scene of the whole series of all the series.
Directed, acted beautifully. With an amazing score.
“I can only hope sir.” This gets me every time.
Even after all these years one of the finest episodes of any TV show ever. With meaningful episodes like this TV is not just a mindless Boob Tube void.
This entire episode is perfection..
I once commented on Twitter this episode is the best 42 minutes of television drama ever produced. Toby (Richard Schiff) himself responded and I was beyond belief. It's a truly a magnificent piece of film art and I have tears every time I watch it - including today.
This is why television was invented, not for mindless sitcoms but for bringing human emotions out of people. Retired USAF (Viet Nam) and I cry every time I see this, and I hope I always will.
You and me, both.
Times three. USMC 2008 - 2013
Thank you so very much for all that you have done for our country.
me too! i think of all the people in my life i lost.
Many thanks Sir for your years of service. You served our country with honor. We are a grateful nation because of your efforts.
Always makes me tear up. Thanks to all who have served.
I never saw one episode of West Wing As a 78 y/0 Air Force Nurse (Nam era) Veteran this short video brought me to major tears. I was a compassionate rock back then but no more, & I can't stop crying here.
This is why I loved the show. I remember my dads funeral like it was yesterday but in reality it was 38 years ago. 21 gun salute. It still shakes my soul and miss him greatly.
One of the greatest scenes ever. I served in the 9th Infantry Division and the I Corps Honor guards… it was a zero fail mission…. It was the last greatest moment to honor those veterans whom so richly deserved the honor. It’s all about the honor.