Pat-A-Pan | Lyrics, Free Easy Piano Sheet Music & Guitar Chords

from the MMF Songbook



History for 'Pat-A-Pan'

Pat-A-Pan was written by Bernard de La Monnoye (1641-1728), who is remembered best for his collection of Burgundian carols. This carol tells of the birth of our savior and is told from the perspective of the shepherds. The phrase that gives the carol its name, "Pat-A-Pan", is meant to mimic the sound of a drum. The accompaning lyric, "tu-re-lu-re-lu", represents the flute. The English translation of Pat-A-Pan was first published in 1907.


Lyrics for 'Pat-A-Pan'

Willie, bring your little drum;
Robin bring your fife and come.
And be merry while you play,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
Come be merry while you play
For the joy of Christmas day.

Thus the men of olden days;
To the King of Kings gave praise.
On the fife and drum did play,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
On the fife and drum did play,
For the joy of Christmas day.

God and man today become;
More in tune than fife and drum.
So be merry while you play,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
So be merry while you play,
Sing and dance this Christmas day.

To the sound of fife and drum
Shepherds to the stable come
We must play our music well,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
We must play our music well,
To the Savior sing Noel.

See the shepherds haste away,
We must leave without delay.
We must play our music well,
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
We must play our music well
To the savior sing Noel.

God and man, your songs of praise
To the fife and drum now raise!
God and man, your songs of praise
Tu-re-lu-re-lu, Pat-a-pat-a-pan,
We must play our music well,
To the savior sing Noel.


Browse Related Resources for ‘Pat-a-Pan’

Piano Sheet Music

Pat-a-Pan for Easy/Level 1 Piano Solo

Guitar Chords

Pat-a-Pan Guitar Chords



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